- The confrontation between the demonstrators and the police was however not as brutal as last week’s mass action
- Karua said the police should be ready to kill Azimio supporters should they arrest Raila.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Azimio La Umoja's mass action in the capital Nairobi on Monday did not turn deadly as the first Opposition demonstrations on March 2023.
The second wave of protests saw the Azimio brigade snake through the Kawangware area before ending in Kibra. There were also isolated demonstrations in the Mathare area.
Many businesses were nonetheless shut, with some employers telling their staff to work from home.
The confrontation between the demonstrators and the police was however not as brutal as last week’s mass action.
The Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome had warned of stern action against protestors.
Koome maintained that the protests remained illegal and that the police force was ready and equipped to enforce law and order.
The protestors led by Azimio leader Raila Odinga however did not go unscathed as officers tear-gassed the group and diverted the procession on several occasions.
With Raila were former runningmate Martha Karua, former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Siaya county boss James Orengo, former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni and lawmakers Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino and Winnie Odinga among others.
Addressing the crowd in Kibra, Karua said the police should be ready to kill Azimio supporters should they arrest Raila.
“They have the plan to arrest Baba but if they touch him, they will face our wrath. We will come out all of us,” she stated.
During the first protests, Raila’s convoy was heavily tear-gassed as he spearheaded the biggest protest against President William Ruto's government since it took office.
Demonstrators also hurled rocks at anti-riot police, while about two dozen people were arrested, including opposition MPs.
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi were among six leaders arrested.
They spent the day in police cells after being arrested at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in the mid-morning hours.
The protest convoy went to various residential estates outside the Nairobi city centre among them Eastleigh, Kamukunji and Huruma.