Kenyan opposition supporters in fresh anti-government protests
GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Kenyan opposition supporters Wednesday took to the streets in a number of Kenyan towns in the latest wave of anti-government protests.
The latest demonstrations comes as the government warned of tough actions against opposition leaders and supporters who will take part in the demonstrations that has left scores of people dead over the past weeks.
The country’s opposition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has rallied its supporters to protest against what it describes as “punitive tax measures” signed into law by President William Ruto a month ago.
More than a dozen people have been killed in protests that erupted this month, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, which has accused police of using “excessive force” in its response to the rallies.
Odinga, who has been pushing protests since losing last year’s election to Ruto, has accused the government of trampling on democracy and failing to help households cope with the surge in inflation that was partly caused by Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine last year.
Businesses affected
On Wednesday, most banks and other business premises remained closed in Key cities including the capital Nairobi, the coastal town of Mombasa and Kisumu – one of Odinga’s strongholds.
Most people also kept off from the towns over anticipated unrest despite assurance by the government and police that no loss of life and destruction of property will be witnessed.
The few supermarkets and businesses that opened witnessed low sales as pickets of customers dared to go shopping as amidst a heavy presence of police officers and personnel from the National Youth Service.
The opposition has promised to also hold demonstrations on Thursday and Friday.
- By Fauxile Kibet