Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has broken his silence and issued a way forward for the ongoing anti-government protests led by the Azimio La Umoja party. In a statement, Raila urged his supporters to temporarily halt the demonstrations at 5 pm on Wednesday, July 19, and resume them on Thursday, July 20.

Acknowledging the success of day one of the protests, Raila highlighted that the government was paying attention to the grievances raised by the coalition. However, he declined the call from religious leaders who urged him to engage in dialogue with President William Ruto instead of leading protests.

Raila emphasized that the protests would continue until the Kenya Kwanza administration addresses the concerns raised by the Azimio La Umoja coalition, particularly the high cost of living.

The ODM Party Leader's absence from the protest stirred discussions online, with speculations about his well-being. However, Raila's statement clarified that his absence was not due to health issues.

In a significant setback, the government withdrew Raila's security detail and subsequently arrested several of his top aides, including his personal bodyguard and spokesperson. These actions have further intensified the political tensions surrounding the protests.

Raila's statement signifies his commitment to the cause and his determination to fight for the demands of his coalition. The temporary pause in the protests serves as an opportunity for supporters to rest and regroup before resuming their demonstrations in the ongoing pursuit for change.