A Nigerian human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has issued a warning to Kenyans regarding the involvement of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in brokering peace in their country.
Posting on X on Saturday night, Sowore expressed his distrust of Obasanjo’s intentions, stating that the former president of Nigeria has never been associated with any positive outcomes in his life.
The #RecolutionNow convener implied that Obasanjo’s interference in Kenya’s affairs would not be beneficial and suggested that he should be sent back to Nigeria.
“I hope our Kenyan brothers and sisters understand that ‘Chief’ Olusegun Obasanjo, who is trying to ‘broker peace’ in Kenya, has never been part of anything good in his life. The former Nigerian President should be put inside the next departing aircraft from Kenya.
“Otherwise, you would watch your revolutionary gains vanish like the Nigerian treasury under his watch. Please stay away from OBJ, Kenyans. #RevolutionNoworNever #RutoMustGo #EndBadGovernance #DaysOfRage,” Sowore wrote.
Despite President William Ruto’s concession to scrap the planned $2.7 billion tax hikes, Kenyan activists remain resolute in their demands for change.
They have threatened a nationwide “total shutdown” in response to years of stagnant wages and rampant corruption, which many believe has reached an all-time high. Some Kenyans have noted that the tax plan was merely the catalyst that sparked the protests, which began peacefully last month but quickly escalated into violence.
The demonstrations have resulted in significant bloodshed, with at least 50 people killed, as reported by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
The commission has also alleged excessive use of force by police, with 59 individuals abducted or missing and 628 others arbitrarily detained. The situation remains tense, with activists vowing to continue their push for meaningful reform.
In a bid to quell the earlier protests, President Ruto took measures to address the unrest, including scrapping the planned tax increase on June 26 and dismissing a significant portion of his cabinet.
Additionally, he announced plans for “multi-sectoral” talks to engage with protesters and address their concerns.
However, his efforts to initiate dialogue have been met with skepticism, as many prominent activists have declined his invitation, insisting on tangible action to tackle pressing issues like corruption rather than mere talks.
Earlier in July, during an interview on Citizen TV’s ‘JKLive’ show in Kenya, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo weighed in on the ongoing anti-government protests in Kenya, attributing the unrest to the youthful population’s growing anger and frustration with poor governance.
Obasanjo noted that young people across Kenya and the African continent are facing similar challenges, including rampant unemployment, poverty, and a sense of hopelessness.
He cautioned that if leaders fail to address the pressing issues, a revolution may be imminent, likening the situation to a ticking time bomb ready to explode. Obasanjo’s comments underscore the urgent need for leaders to prioritize the needs and concerns of the youth, lest they face the consequences of their inaction.
He said, “They are unemployed, underpowered and see nothing other than hopelessness. In a situation like that, what you have from frustrated youth is anger and they have no hope. If you want to kill any human being, take hope and cut away his life, that is what is happening.”
“All of Africa, we are all sitting on the keg of gunpowder because of the youth, and there is virtually no excuse in Africa why the youth are not angry,” he added.
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