The country today remains on the tenterhooks as the dwindling anti-government enter day three even as opposition leader and Azimio One Kenya Coalition boss Raila Odinga remains hospitalized at the Nairobi Hospital over flu infection.
At the same time, both opposition and government leaders maintained hardline positions amid calls for dialogue by the religious leaders and the international community.
Today, in Nairobi, roads leading to State House have multiple erected barriers being manned by the elite General Service Unit (GSU) Recce Company amid heavy police deployment within the city of both uniformed and plain-clothed officers a scenario replicated in Kisumu, Mombasa, Migori and Nyamira.
The opposition is protesting president William Ruto’s failure to tackle the escalating cost of living and high inflation challenges, among other salient grievances driving them to the streets.
Dubbed the ‘sufuria movement,’ the coalition yesterday went ahead with their protests across various regions of the country, despite the government’s ban on such demonstrations.
The Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS) Japhet Koome is on the spotlight over excessive use of force by police officers including use of live bullets to unarmed picketing Kenyans with so far at least 30 deaths having been recorded.
Yesterday, while issuing title deeds to residents of Ngaremara, Isiolo county, president William Ruto defended the police against barrage of condemnation and instead commended them for their actions which he said ensured live and properties were protected during the ongoing anti-government protests.
Through a statement yesterday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki assured the country that they have contained the lawlessness and disruption witnessed during Wednesday’s demonstrations.
“Public and private sector workers, business people, travelers, and everyone is advised to continue with their daily nation building activities tomorrow and the days ahead, and leave the matter of their safety and security to the National Police Service and other security organs of the Country.” Kindiki said.
Kindiki assured the public that all those responsible for the mayhem that rocked the country in the last two days will be brought to justice.
“Security agencies remain fully engaged with the situation in the Country and will build on the experience of the last two days to make sure that law enforcement achieves even better results tomorrow, in the wake of reports that organizers of the violent protests have incited the public to continue engaging in unlawful protests and violence tomorrow.” Kindiki added.
However, Azimio leaders lamented the arbitrary arrests of their leaders and people close to them including their handlers.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi called on Kenyans to turn up in large numbers for the convergence while asking the police officers to accord them ample security.
“Today Kenyans will converge at Central Park to continue with the protest and we call upon the police to provide security to both demonstrators and the general public. We commit to continue remaining peaceful whether provoked or not.” Wandayi stated.
On his part, Odinga tweeted from his hospital bed saying: “The voice of the People must be heard. Our peaceful protest continues.”
“We encourage Kenyans to continue picketing, demonstrating, and protesting in their own ways in their own local areas in as much as they can. The government needs to hear our voices.” Martha Karua, one of Azimio leaders, said.
In response to the call, youth from various regions of the country, including Kisumu, Nakuru, and Kisii counties, simultaneously took part in the banned protests.
The demonstrations consequently led to clashes with the police, as the youth expressed their discontent with the situation for the better part of the day remaining highly charged and uncertain as the protests unfolded.
During the confrontations that followed, the police engaged with protesters, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives from gunshot wounds, while several others sustained injuries.
Some parts of the country also witnessed significant destruction during the incidents.
However, in contrast to previous demonstrations, the protests held on Wednesday in Nairobi and other towns appeared to be less intense.
Although the Azimio leader Raila was missing in action and did not actively participate in the protests, his supporters heeded his call and took part in the demonstrations.
In a statement released by the coalition, Karua acknowledged that despite Raila’s absence, the protests were successful.
“We salute the gallant Kenyan patriots who braved the teargas, water cannons and bullets by turning up in their numbers.” Karua said.
Following his fifth defeat in the 2022 presidential election against President Ruto, Raila has organized multiple rounds of protests against the government since March 2023.
The former Prime Minister, however, remains adamant, asserting that President Ruto’s victory was a result of rigging orchestrated by the former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati.
President Ruto and Raila, once close allies, have now become bitter adversaries, each holding hard-line stances on the country’s state of affairs.
President Ruto has maintained that he is determined to quell Raila’s anti-government crusade which he regrets is detrimental to his efforts of improving the country’s economic fortunes.
In a significant move, the government has already withdrawn the security details of prominent leaders affiliated with the Azimio coalition, including governors Simba Arati (Kisii), James Orengo (Siaya), Anyang Nyon’go (Kisumu), Ochillo Ayacko (Migori), and others.
Surprisingly, the state also withdrew the security detail of Mama Ngina Kenyatta, the mother of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, who serves as the Chairman of the Azimio coalition.
But amidst the grandstanding, religious leaders and rights groups have been at the forefront in calling for a truce which presently appears unheeded by President Ruto and Raila with both leaders charring their own paths.
“We all have an obligation to pursue peace. We have no other country to run to.” Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria told the media in the company of other bishops on Wednesday.
The bishops also urged President Ruto to repeal the suspended Finance Act 2023, stating that it had acted as a catalyst for the ongoing demonstrations, which they expressed regret had escalated into chaos and violence.
“We, therefore, ask the president to repeal the Finance Act and seek to institute a process that will achieve the same goal within the context of the current economic situation.” Muheria said.
The clerics asserted that the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 would burden Kenyans who are already struggling to afford essential goods and secure stable employment, further exacerbating their financial hardships.
“We do not have a problem talking with anyone, but I will not be a party to talks of sharing power. Kenyans already decided that during the elections.” President Ruto said in a Kericho tour.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday made an appeal to the international community, urging them to consider imposing travel sanctions on leaders responsible for orchestrating violent protests in the country.
“We urge our international friends to closely scrutinize the architects of insurrection and anti-democratic elements when they wish to visit their countries and not to allow some of them to go and taint their democratic principles.” Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said.
