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Protest round up: At least 5 feared dead, 300 arrested

Those arrested include nine leaders allied to Azimio Coalition.

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by SHARON MWENDE

In-pictures19 July 2023 - 19:17

In Summary


  • • Before 10am, the demonstrations had not taken shape. However from midday Mathare and Kibra were turned into a battlefield as protesters dared police in the demos.
  • • During the day's activities, at least three civilians sustained gunshot wounds and several NYS officers were injured in Kangemi.
Anti-riot police and NYS officer work on anti-government protesters in Imara Daima, Nairobi on July 19, 2023.

Kenyans on Wednesday took to the streets heeding a call by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Most businesses across the country remained closed throughout the day.

In Nairobi, the roads and streets remained relatively empty in the morning with few commuters spotted.

Before 10am, the demonstrations had not taken shape.

However from midday Mathare and Kibra  were turned into a battlefield as protesters dared police in the demos.

During the day's activities, at least three civilians sustained gunshot wounds and several NYS officers were injured in Kangemi.

Protesters were arrested in parts of Mathare and Jacaranda grounds.

An African Censored journalist was reportedly arrested by plain clothes police officers and taken to Kayole Police Station.

He was however released.

Calvin Rock however said the picture he had taken were erased and he did not get his press card back.

"They confiscated my Press card at Jacaranda and deleted footage and images from my camera. They didn't return my press card for whatever reason," he tweeted. 

In Kisumu, bonfires were lit at 8am in various locations including the Kisumu bus terminus and Kisumu Boys roundabout.

Police were deployed to the area.

Only a few tuk tuk from Nyalenda were seen on the road before the protests began.

The road leading to Kisumu State Lodge was closed and businesses.

Among the protesters was a man donning a towel. He was accompanied by his son, who also had a towel.

Some youths also decided to take daytime baths as the running battles between police and youths escalated.

In Mombasa, protesters around Express Area along Moi Avenue were arrested after bonfires were lit blocking the road leading to the Port of Mombasa.

Police were also forced to lob teargas at UDA supporters who marched with banners dubbed "form ni peace".

They also had UDA-branded caps and T-shirts.

In a video seen by the Star, police ordered them to go home before dispersing them using teargas.

The protests were seemingly held to counter the Azimio anti-government demos.

In Kisumu, Nairobi and Mombasa, all day primary and secondary schools remained closed following a directive from the government.

In Nakuru County, police had a hard time containing youth in the Shabab area in Nakuru West, who had barricaded roads leading to CBD. 

They had lit bonfires on the roads even as the police tried to reopen the roads to allow traffic to flow freely.

One person was shot dead while seven sustained gunshot wounds in the area.

Confirming the number of casualties in Nakuru Level Five Hospital, medical superintendent Dr James Waweru Munene said seven people with gunshot wounds were received at the facility.

Four of them have been wheeled to theatre for surgeries while the other three are in stable condition.

In Migori, two people sustained gunshot injuries while five others suffered wounds after being clobbered by police officers.

At least seven victims were admitted to Migori Referral Hospital.

"One was shot on the left leg and the other on the right thigh," Oruba Nursing Home doctor in charge Elijah Owuor Nyabwa said.

In overall, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said 300 people were arrested in areas including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya and Nakuru counties.

There was also a breach of peace in Wote and Emali towns in Makueni County. 

They will be charged with crimes including looting, malicious damage of property, arson, robbery with violence and assaulting law enforcement officers. 

Those arrested include nine leaders allied to Azimio Coalition.

Condemning the arrest, Narc party leader Martha Karua listed them as Embakasi MP Babu Owino who is said to have been arrested on Tuesday night.

Others are Nairobi MCAs Wilfred Odallo (Mabatini), Redson Onyango (Ngei ), Erick Otieno and Anthony Otsula who who are budget officers at the Nairobi County Assembly.

Raila Odinga's bodyguard Maurice Ogeta is said to have been abducted by police on his way to work.

Dennis Onyango (Raila's Spokesman)  was arrested from his house where a search without warrant was conducted.

"Today Ken Chonga, MP Kilifi South, and Teddy Mwambire, Speaker Kilifi County have been arrested and detained in an unknown place," Karua added.

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was also arrested.

His lawyer Ndegwa Njiru said Njenga was arrested while in Lower Matasia in Ngong and taken to an undisclosed location.

The family says he was in his father’s house when police in unmarked cards arrived at about 8pm and arrested him.

The team said they wanted to question him over ongoing anti-government protests in the country.


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