President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, have accused Azimio leader Raila Odinga of taking the country towards anarchy.
The State accused Opposition of taking the country to anarchy while Raila Odinga claims President William Ruto has refused to act on Azimio La Umoja demands.
Azimio leaders on the other hand accused the Government of failing to act on citizen’s demand for it to lower the cost of living.
Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance, waves to his supporters as he participates in a nationwide protest over cost of living and President William Ruto’s government in downtown Nairobi, Kenya March 20, 2023.
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party has now declared that it will hold anti-government protests for three consecutive days next week beginning on Wednesday to Friday.
In a statement issued on Friday, the coalition said due to public demand, it had reviewed its earlier plan to have the protests only on Wednesday.
The Azimio Coalition announced a revision of the calendar further to the communication issued yesterday on the Third Wave of peaceful protests scheduled to start on Wednesday next week, saying they have received overwhelming requests from all sectors of the Kenyan Public for the need to intensify these demonstrations.
“Going forward, the peaceful protests will now be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week, in line with requests from the public to include three days of activity. Let’s meet on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” reads the statement.
Azimio accused the police of using excessive force in quelling the protests while the Government put the blame on Opposition leaders, saying they had promised to hold peaceful rallies but the protests turned violent, with destruction of public and private properties and attack on civilians.
This comes despite a strong warning by the government which has vowed not to tolerate the protests which have left several people dead, scores of others injured and property of unknown value destroyed.
Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau were among politicians arrested yesterday in connection with the chaos that rocked various parts of the country on Wednesday leading to deaths of eight people and destruction of property.
On Thursday, President William Ruto hit out at his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga over what he termed as organizing chaos in the country under the guise of peaceful anti-government protests.
President Ruto said he will not allow the HANDSHAKE brothers to take our country hostage by causing violence, mayhem and anarchy and bringing chaos in our country.
The Head of State accused Raila Odinga of attempting to sabotage all three past governments through arm-twisting means.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki also condemned acts of violence, looting and destruction of property witnessed across different parts of the country on Wednesday during Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party’s anti-government demonstrations.
The Interior CS vowed to ensure all that persons who partook in the demonstrations, both directly and indirectly, will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Kindiki said the Government has mobilized all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed on Wednesday, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders.
At least nine people were reportedly killed by police and scores injured during the countrywide protests organized by Azimio la Umoja.
by: SadiqSaad