ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has attributed the relative calm witnessed during the June 25 anniversary demonstrations to what he described as a deliberate choice by Kenyans to embrace peace and stability.
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga addressing the media in Kisumu/ Faith Matete
Addressing journalists in Kisumu on Friday, Oburu said many people had expected widespread disruptions, economic losses and possible deaths following calls for nationwide protests.
He said the country instead experienced a level of calm which, in his view, reflected growing political maturity among citizens.
"The calm was not an accident. It was a deliberate choice by Kenyans who responded to repeated calls for peace, national stability and restraint," he said.
Oburu criticised sections of the media over what he described as selective reporting of events, arguing that coverage focused heavily on incidents in Nairobi while giving less attention to developments in other parts of the country.
He said television stations gave extensive attention to confrontations near Parliament and other areas of the capital while failing to adequately report developments in Kisumu, Eldoret and other major towns.
"When there was a small incident, and people ran to their cars, it was reported as if it was a major national issue," he said.
The veteran politician said leadership should be measured by the ability to preserve peace rather than inflame tensions.
"Leadership is not measured by the ability to ignite fires but by the wisdom to restrain, sustain order and protect citizens," he added.
Oburu thanked ODM supporters across the country for what he described as discipline and political maturity by avoiding what he termed uncoordinated street actions.
He said the party had helped protect communities from unnecessary harm while maintaining its influence in national decision-making processes.
"By choosing not to participate in uncoordinated street actions, our members demonstrated the highest level of political sophistication," he said.
According to Oburu, some Kenyans who stayed away from the protests did so out of fear following warnings of possible disruptions and violence.
He argued that the absence of large-scale unrest should not be interpreted as support for the government but rather as a desire by citizens to avoid instability.
The ODM leader urged the media to provide balanced coverage by highlighting both positive and negative developments.
"The press has the responsibility to protect both the weak and the powerful. When there is progress, it should be reported as progress, and when there are problems, they should also be reported," he said.
