ODM party leader Raila Odinga is expected to address the nation in a press conference scheduled for 4 PM today at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi.
According to a statement from his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, Raila will speak later this afternoon, though details of the address remain undisclosed.
The briefing comes amid heightened national attention surrounding Saba Saba Day demonstrations, with tensions reported across several towns, including Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kisumu.
In Kangemi, one person is suspected to have been shot during the marking of the Saba Saba Day protests. The man was seen lying on the ground as crowds of people gathered and started charging.
Kenya is marking Saba Saba Day under heightened security and widespread disruption in several towns.
By 1 PM, Nairobi’s CBD had come to a standstill. Businesses were closed, and pedestrian and motor traffic were minimal.
Police blocked key streets to prevent access. In Mombasa, security forces stopped protesters from proceeding with planned demonstrations.
Raila’s remarks are highly anticipated as Kenyans await a possible political statement on the youth-led Gen Z protests and the government’s handling of recent unrest.
Raila was set to make an appearance at Kamkunji grounds at 3 PM Grounds in commemoration of the anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, Raila called on Kenyans to gather at Kamukunji to honour the spirit of the pro-democracy movement that began on July 7, 1990.
He emphasized that many of the injustices that sparked the original protests, including police brutality, economic inequality and human rights violations, remain unresolved.
“We have not achieved what Saba Saba intended,” Raila said.
“Violation of human rights is still a challenge in the country, police brutality is there and the economy has not performed as we expected.”
