Cord co-principal and leader Raila Odinga has come out clear to explain the significance of holding a parallel Madaraka Day rally in Nairobi on Wednesday, while the Jubilee heads to Nakuru 's Afraha stadium for the same celebrations.
Raila strongly contested claims that Cord’s rally is a sign of disrespecting the government, stating that their intention is to pray for the country through that even and promote peace and reconciliation.
“There has been a misconception that we intend to disrespect the government, disrespect the day and desecrate on it. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Raila said.
“We urge the government to look at Madaraka Day as a day to unite the people and a time to pray for pray for truth, justice, and reconciliation.”
Speaking in Mombasa on Sunday, the ODM party leader said they have no intention to cause chaos on Madaraka Day and that their objective is to preach peace.
The former prime minister urged the police to cease from any attempts to thwart the rally, stating that they do not have plans to carry forward the event.
“There should be no form of confrontation over the issue. We are saddened by a plot by some people to deny Kenyans their right to meet and remember where they are and share the message of unity,” the Cord leader reiterated.
“We have no Plan B. The meeting will take place as planned, all we need to do is clarify our intention,” he added.
Although Nairobi has over the time been used as the venue for all major national events, this year the government moved the Madaraka Day celebrations to Afraha Stadium in Nakuru County to show the essence of devolution.
Cord says because there will not be any major celebration in Nairobi, they aim to use their rally to celebrate with Kenyans the strides the country has made in many years.