Raila Increases Protests to 3 Days Per Week

News Desk July 14, 2023 in NEWS - 3 Minutes

Azimio La Umoja on Friday, July 14, announced that it has stepped up anti-Ruto protests to three days next week from July 19 due to public demand.

In a statement, Azimio led by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga called upon its supporters to step up the pressure against President William Ruto’s government.

The coalition claimed that they have received “overwhelming requests from all sectors of the Kenyan Public for the need to intensify these demonstrations”.

“The Coalition hereby wishes to announce a revision of the calendar. 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,” read part of the statement.

On Thursday, July 13, Raila emphasised that the peaceful protests will continue until the administration lowers the cost of living among other demands.

While addressing the press, the opposition assured their supporters that the protests would carry on despite the handline position from the government side.

Azimio also promised to advance financial help to the families of people who were killed in the last round of protests this week.

The opposition also vowed to take legal action against what they termed as police for the extra-judicial killings.

“We have instructed our legal team to institute proceedings against officers who went against their mandate of protecting Kenyans. We are asking Kenyans to share photographs of police who brutalised Kenyans,” read part of the statement.

The opposition has accused the government of hiring goons dressed in police attire to attack peaceful protesters across the country.

Ruto has argued that Raila with the financial backing of former President Uhuru Kenyatta is attempting to sabotage Kenya’s struggling economy.

The President insisted that the government will not bow to the pressure from the opposition, adding that they are working to improve the life of Kenyans.

Ruto’s remarks came just a day after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki stated that they would arrest anyone involved in the destruction of property on Wednesday, July 12.

“The Government has tonight mobilised 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 today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders,” Kindiki stated.