Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Monday, March 27, led a second anti-government mass action against President William Ruto in Nairobi.
Raila had earlier announced that the protests will be peaceful but the anti-government protests turned violent, with police firing tear gas and looters going on a rampage.
This saw men in uniform use tear gas and water cannon as Odinga’s convoy moved through a congested neighborhood in Nairobi, sending people running for cover.
This saw a section of the Kenya Kwanza government and the security agents fault former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the chaos witnessed during the protests.
However, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader on Wednesday, March 29, defended protestors who hurled stones at the police officers.
The veteran politician instead fingered the police officers for the chaos witnessed stating that the men in uniform provoked the peaceful protestors.
Raila accused the police of not only sealing residential houses but also hurling teargas canisters at the peoples’ compounds. These he claims prompted them to come out to defend themselves.
“There is offensive and defensive violence. The two are not the same. The police went and sealed the residences. People could not come out. They were throwing tear gas at the people’s compounds. People came out to defend themselves. They wanted to get out and that is why they were throwing stones at the police,” Raila said.
The opposition leader has called for regular protests every Monday and Thursday, accusing President William Ruto of stealing last year’s election and of failing to control the surging cost of living.
Inspector of Police General Japheth Koome had on weekend termed the protests as ‘illegal’ and that anyone who will participate will ruthlessly be dealt with.
