By John Majau
Leaders in Meru County have called on Azimio leader Raila Odinga to postpone the planned Monday mass demonstrations in order to allow students to return to school smoothly and peacefully after the mid term break.
Led by the Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi, Abothuguci West ward MCA Patrick Muthuri and the former Municipality ward MCA Elias Murega the leaders said the demos are ill timed because they coincide with the reopening of schools.
Speaking at Abothuguci Boarding Primary School in Abothuguci West Ward, Central Imenti Constituency during the ‘Back to school shoe initiative’ programme spearheaded by the MCA, leaders said if the demos are allowed to continue as planned it will inevitably disrupt the smooth and peaceful return to schools of many students.
They called on Raila and the other planners to postpone the picketing until 2027 and advised them to concentrate on development issues instead of always politicking.
“Let Raila and his team postpone the demos because many students will be affected. They will be going back to school after mid term and the chaos occasioned by the demos will inevitably disrupt the smooth and peaceful return journey. The best option for Raila and his troupe is to stop the demos and wait for 2027,” said Muthuri.
He said majority of students pass through Nairobi when going to and from schools which are located in far places from their homes noting the demos will directly affect them.
Murega said the timing of the demos is very wrong noting Raila should be held responsible if anything happens to the children or property during the commotion.
He said even if everyone as a constitutional right to picket, it should not interfere with other peoples rights adding Raila as no powers to declare a public holiday.
During the “Back to school shoe initiative”, Muthuri donated shoes,socks and shoe polish to 1100 needy students and called on donors to intervene financially in order to reach out to other deserving kids.
He urged students to shun bad habits like early pregnancy and marriages, alcoholism, absenteeism, bad company and to instead concentrate on education which guarantees one a bright future.
He said education is the most beneficial project in the world because it hold the key to any success.
