-
Even though the police managed to keep Raila out of town, Raila snaked his way through Eastlands, addressing charged rallies, sometimes in the thick of teargas.
-
He addressed supporters in Eastleigh, Kamukunji and Mathare constituencies, where he declared that the anti-government protests will be held every Monday.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s convoy was teargassed and blasted with water cannons as police broke the opposition march to Nairobi Central Business District.
Even though police managed to keep Raila out of town, the ODM boss snaked his way through Eastlands areas of Nairobi, addressing charged rallies, sometimes in the thick of teargas.
He addressed supporters in Eastleigh, Kamukunji and Mathare constituencies, where he declared that the anti-government protests will be held every Monday.
The opposition leaders were initially scheduled to address supporters at Serena Hotel.
However, the idea was abandoned after heavily armed police barricaded the hotel and denied journalists access.
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka, 2022 presidential candidate George Wajakoyah and ex-Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa accompanied Raila.
The Star established the hotel management denied the opposition a platform to hold the presser fearing a potential clash between Azimio and security officers.
It is at this point that the opposition brigade led by Raila made its way out of the facility and tried to make their way into the CBD through Kenyatta Avenue.
However, heavily armed officers started blasting them with water canons and teargas.
The opposition then rerouted through Nyerere Road, as some moved towards Upper Hill direction before converging in Eastleigh where Raila addressed hundreds of supporters.
“Today is just the beginning, you are yet to see more. Every Monday, we will be having mass demonstrations until the cost of living comes down,” Raila said. “It will not end until Kenyans get their right.”
The former Prime Minister accused the government of breaching the law by suspending Article 37, which provides that every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities.
“They have breached the Constitution, we will sue them at the International Criminal Court,” he said.
Kalonzo demanded the release of all Azimio MPs and supporters who were arrested, saying the right to demonstrations is provided for in the Constitution.
“All the leaders who have been arrested not in line with the Constitution and taken to Kiambu Road [DCI headquarters] should be released immediately,” Kalonzo said.
At this point, police fired teargas breaking the rally.
Earlier, police arrested Minority leaders Opiyo Wandayi (the National Assembly) and Stewart Madzayo (the Senate ), MPs Ken Chonga (Kilifi North) and Amina Mnyazi (Malindi) along City Hall Way and drove them away to DCI headquarters in police vehicles.
Tens of opposition supporters were also arrested and by press time, they were being held at various police stations across the city.
Speaking at Parliament buildings, some opposition MPs led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and National Assembly Minority Whip Opiyo Wandayi demanded the unconditional release of their leaders, accusing the police of using unjustified force on unarmed demonstrators.
The politicians said they will not relent, terming Monday's demos a rehearsal and the beginning of a series of more intense pushback with the security enforcers.
“We demand unconditional release of our MPs and we are giving police two hours to do so. Today was just a rehearsal, the real one is coming,” Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said.
Sifuna faulted police for high handedness and using unnecessary excess force on peaceful demonstrators.
“Police have turned what was peaceful Maandamano [protests] into ugly confrontation. They have arrested the Minority leaders in both Houses of Parliament and a number of other leaders. This is totally uncalled for. We shall not relent,” Sifuna said.
From Eastleigh, Raila’s convoy snaked its way through Juja Road in another attempt to access the CBD with supporters in tow engaging police in running battles.
Along Juja Road, the motorcade was teargassed at least thrice but leaders braved the chocking smoke and marched on.
At some point, the protesters encountered heavy police armed with water cannons but remained unmoved despite being sprayed by the irritating water.
They instead charged at the police with stones in a direct confrontation that lasted more than five minutes.
Edited by Eliud Kibii