LIVE: How Azimio demos are unfolding countrywide

As at 8.00 am in the morning, protesters in Kisumu had lit bonfires.

In Summary
  • There was a heavy police presence deployed in most parts of the country to keep vigilance.
Bonfires lit in various roads in Kisumu as demonstrations begin on July 19, 2023.
Bonfires lit in various roads in Kisumu as demonstrations begin on July 19, 2023.
Image: FAITH MATETE

Azimio leader Raila Odinga called on his supporters to come out and protest on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday over the high cost of living  

Here is how the events are unfolding across the country.

3:00 pm: An Africa uncensored journalist who had allegedly been arrested earlier has been released.

2: 5 pm: Protesters vandalise a hotel reportedly belonging to Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama during the anti-government protests.

2:30 pm: Two people nurse injuries at the Eagle Nursing Home after allegedly being shot at by Police.

Man admitted at the Eagle Nursing home with two bullets in his stomach during Azimio Anti-government Protests on July 19, 2023.
Man admitted at the Eagle Nursing home with two bullets in his stomach during Azimio Anti-government Protests on July 19, 2023.
Image: CLAUSE MASIKA

2: 20 pm: Armed police redeployed back to the Nairobi homes of former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta hours after they had been withdrawn.

2.00 pm: Azimio Legal team Danstan Omari to file an application seeking to have Embakasi East MP Babu Owino produced. He received instructions from Raila Odinga to file a habeas Corpus application.

1: 3o pm: Investigative journalist John-Allan Namu alleges that one of their reporters has been apprehended by men in plain clothes. Namu claimed their reporter known Calvin Rock was arrested.

1: 20 pm: Angry youths shout down Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda as he attempts to calm an agitated crowd in downtown Kisii.

1: 05 pm: Two people were shot and injured by police in the ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Migori County.

12: 50 pm: Police arrest Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga and Kilifi Speaker Teddy Mwambire in Mtwapa for leading demonstrations.

12: 45 pm: Jua Kali artisan business centre catches fire for the second time.  The cause of the fire is yet to be established.

Jua Kali artisan business centre catches fire in July 19, 2023.
Jua Kali artisan business centre catches fire in July 19, 2023.
Image: DANIEL OGENDO

12: 40 pm: Private guards deployed to Mama Ngina's Muthaiga home after some Nairobi traders plan to hold a peaceful march to the residence of former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta at Muthaiga.

12: 30 pm: Police in Mombasa lob teargas canisters to disperse a handful of protesters that had gathered around the Express area along Moi Avenue.

12: 10 pm: Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua calls for an immediate press conference to address how the ongoing anti-government demos are affecting international relations. 

12: 00 pm: Running battles witnessed in Kibra. Police have been forced to lob teargas canisters at protesting youths.

Protesters engage police during anti-government protest in Kibra on July 19, 2023
Protesters engage police during anti-government protest in Kibra on July 19, 2023
Image: ENOS TECHE

11: 50 am: United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Cleophas Malala warns former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya against leading anti-government protests in the county. 

11: 40 am: Police in Mombasa arrest one person around Express Area along Moi Avenue in Mombasa after protesters lit bonfires blocking the road leading to the Port of Mombasa.

11: 30 am: Azimio leader Raila Odinga's bodyguard Maurice Ogeta allegedly abducted by people suspected to be police officers, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale says.

11: 10 am: Police in Nakuru's Shabaab area try to contain rowdy youth who had taken to the streets for the anti-government protests. Police lobed teargas to disperse them.

11.00 am: Police were forced to use teargas to disperse United Democratic Alliance supporters who had gathered in Mombasa.

10:30 am: Major towns across Kenya remain deserted during morning hours ahead of the Azimio-led protests as police officers deployed.

10:20 am: A man and his son were seen in Kisumu streets with towels wrapped around their waist and no shirt on.

Empty streets and businesses closed ahead of Azimio protests on July 19, 2023.
Empty streets and businesses closed ahead of Azimio protests on July 19, 2023.
Image: FAITH MATETE

10:00 am: Normalcy prevails in Mombasa despite the mounting tension ahead of the planned Azimio protests.

9:30 am: Nairobians desert city ahead of anti-government protests.

Deserted Moi Avenue within the Nairobi CBD ahead Azimo protest on July 19, 2023
Deserted Moi Avenue within the Nairobi CBD ahead Azimo protest on July 19, 2023
Image: KEITH MUSEKE

9:00 am: Police hunt for five Kenya Kwanza leaders accused of organizing counter-protests

8:00 am: Protesters light bonfires in Kisumu streets as demos start. However, there was a heavy police presence deployed in most parts of the country to keep vigilance.

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