Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has weighed in on Wednesday's protests saying the government's response to the countrywide civil unrest failed to live up to expectations.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the seasoned political pundit labelled the opposition Azimio as "reckless" on a day that saw its supporters wreak havoc across the country through looting and destruction of property.
"Maandamano Wednesday is about a reckless opposition fighting an incompetent government. Today, the government was weak," he said.
Ngunyi fell short of calling the Azimio protests an effort in futility but cautioned against underestimating Raila and his ability to hold the government of the day accountable.
"But remember this: Raila is like a rocking chair. He keeps you busy and takes you nowhere. And by Christmas, we will know. But Ruto is not stupid. Or is he?" he posed.
Ruto on Tuesday warned that he would not allow people pursuing personal selfish interests to hold the country at ransom as they continue engaging in activities that were putting the lives of Kenyans at risk.
A tough-talking Ruto said he will not allow further loss of lives after the Saba Saba protests on July 7 left at least six people dead.
"Walifanya maandamano Ijumaa, na waKenya sita wakapoteza maisha yao. Mnataka maandamano ingine ifanyike, maisha mengine yapotezwe? It will not happen," Ruto said.
Raila did not take part in Wednesday's protests. In a media conference later in the day, he said he called off the hyped Kamukunji rally in the interest of his supporters' safety.
The opposition chief claimed he had received intel that the security apparatus had planned to unleash terror during the rally by using live bullets on demonstrators.
He said some of their staff were deployed to set up the stage at the Kamukunji grounds and were attacked by the police on Wednesday morning.
"Early this morning, our crew who had been sent to set up the stage at Kamukunji were attacked and their equipment damaged. Some were arrested. In line with the intelligence we received, armed goons have this afternoon descended on Kamukunji and shot indiscriminately into the crowd," Raila said at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation.
He blamed the police for instigating violence during all Azimio protests insisting that theirs have always been peaceful demonstrations until the police decide to break them up using bullets and tear gas.
In a statement later in the day, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the government was conducting investigations for the purposes of arresting the planners and funders of the Wednesday demos.
