Kenya’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga led thousands of protesters in a third round of anti-government demonstrations on Thursday, March 30, 2023, even though the government has warned that no more violent protests would be tolerated.
The opposition blames President William Ruto for the rising cost of living and alleges that he illegally manipulated his election in last year’s polls, although the Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the election results.
Odinga disclosed that the protests will only stop after the government lowers the cost of basic food items and allows access to the 2022 election results from the electoral commission’s main computers.
President William Ruto, who on Thursday, March 30, 2023, arrived in the country from a four-day trip to Belgium and Germany, has remained adamant that the ongoing protests are illegal.
Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, who is in charge of the police, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, said that no more violent protests would be tolerated.
Police have been using force to disperse protesters and so far four people are reported to have died since the protests started last week.
Odinga stated that the protests will be held twice every week until the opposition’s demands are met. A Governor from Odinga’s stronghold of Kisumu county had banned protests in the area but quickly rescinded and local government officials joined in Thursday’s demonstrations.
The protests have sparked counter violence against opposition targets. Last Monday saw the destruction of private property at former President, Uhuru Kenyatta’s family farm outside the capital, Odinga’s gas cylinder manufacturing firm near the central business district and the burning of shops in Odinga’s stronghold of Kibera slums.
Heavy police presence has been witnessed at former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta’s home in the central region, days after his family-owned property was raided.
A local police commander stated that a total of 30 officers have been deployed at Kenyatta’s Ichaweri home to keep watch in case of any possible eventuality, a local TV station reported.
On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, President William Ruto averred that he would ensure everyone’s life, property, and business was protected during the ongoing opposition protests.
Reports say that police have also been deployed at opposition politician, Martha Karua’s rural home in Kirinyaga, also in central Kenya. Karua was Odinga’s running mate in last year’s election.
Earlier on Thursday, police officers in full riot gear were seen patrolling the capital Nairobi, as well as the western city of Kisumu, where sporadic protests have already been reported.
Policing Oversight Authority Conducts Investigations
The independent Policing Oversight Authority is investigating four incidents of police shooting and killing protesters.
The oversight body is also investigating allegations that police failed to respond to a report on the damaging of private property. The authority has urged police to abide by the law while protecting life and property.
Civil society groups that include Amnesty Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have expressed concern over the abuse of human rights by the police during the protests and urged police to uphold their service to humanity.
The African Union has called for calm and dialogue among stakeholders recalling a “successful conduct of the general elections and confirmation of the outcome by the Supreme Court.”
Western diplomatic missions in Kenya expressed concern over the violence and damage to places of worship and private property.
The Media Council of Kenya disclosed that journalists have been attacked in the demonstrations and said it would work closely with the police to ensure perpetrators face the law.
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