Running battles with police, teargas, and water canons characterised what was supposed to be peaceful demonstration by Raila Odinga led Azimio coalition.
The day long chaos in the city followed police determination to thwart Raila Odinga and his supporters from accessing the Nairobi Central Business district.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged Azimio leaders to call off protests, saying the country had lost Kshs. 2 billion shillings and that the mayhem is bad for the economy. “Quite a number of business people in Nairobi’s CBD did not open their shops and businesses arising from fear of looting and destruction of property having considered what happened in Kisumu where the Azimio people looted chairs and food,” said the DP.
However, Azimio leader Raila Odinga declared that there will be protests similar to what the opposition staged in Nairobi and many parts of the country on Monday every Monday. Addressing protesters atop his motorcade when he joined them in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, Odinga said Monday’s mass action was just the beginning of what he called a fight for justice.
On his part President William Ruto said no one is above the law and promised to ensure Kenya is governed by the rule of law. “Allowing ourselves to operate outside the law is condoning impunity. All of us must respect the law” Said the president from State House Nairobi.
