The government has deployed heavily armed anti-riot police officers within the city and erected barricade on access roads leading to State House in Nairobi even as showdown is anticipated between security officers and Azimio One Kenya coalition supporters led by Raila Odinga.
Even as the government led by president William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki urged Kenyans to ignore the illegal declaration of today as a ‘public holiday’ and go about their businesses as usual, an early spot check by The Informer Media Group revealed a massive slowdown in normal operations including few public service vehicles plying to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
At the same time, both uniformed and officers dressed in plain cloth have been deployed patrolling various streets in the city.
Raila and other Azimio leaders alongside their supporters are expected to converge at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) before beginning their much publicised grand march to State House which is a protected area and thus not accessible to unauthorised persons.
“There is an uneasy calm and palpable tension with scattered police presence patrolling the streets. The police officers patrolling the city as you can see some using vehicles and others on foot begun as early as 3am. We are receiving our stock but many customers canceled their orders last night.” Charles Kioko, a meat vendor at the City Market told The Informer Media Group.
At the junction of Nyerere Road and Processional Way, the General Service Unit (GSU) have erected a barricade leading to State House.
Yesterday, defiant Azimio leaders insisted the protest is still on and is unstoppable.
“We shall converge at the Nairobi city centre and begin the journey to State House to reclaim our victory. The time to liberate our nation is now.” Raila said yesterday.
While attending an interdenominational prayer rally at Kapsabet showground in Nandi County yesterday, president William Ruto declared that the government will deal firmly with the protesters, saying the demonstrations are a ploy to destroy peoples’ property.
On his part, CS Kindiki said no one who is not authorised will be allowed near protected installations and State House is one of them.
“It is hereby notified for information of the general public that pursuant to the Protected Areas Act (CAP 204 of the Laws of Kenya), security agencies shall prevent unauthorised access to all protected areas.” Kindiki said in a statement.
On her part, Azimio co-principal and Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua said the march is unstoppable.
“We will demonstrate tomorrow (today) come what may. It is our way to say enough is enough. This is not Moi’s era when we were brutalised for demonstrating. It is provided for in the constitution…We have a date with destiny tomorrow (today). We are coming to do what is right and not to fight anyone. Our people cannot go hungry to finance the expensive lifestyle of the government using their taxes.” Karua said.
On the other hand, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said nothing stops them from going to State House just like other democratic jurisdictions in the world.
Early this month, Raila declared mass action against the Kenya Kwanza administration following a lapse of a 14-day ultimatum he had given president Ruto.
Raila said they have invoked the provisions of the Constitution to launch a massive peaceful movement of defiance against what he termed as “an illegitimate government.”
“Take note that on the 20th of March 2023, we have a date with destiny in Nairobi. On that day our supporters throughout the country shall stage a massive procession in Nairobi for a legitimate and inclusive government. Save the date.” Raila said.
Raila highlighted fifteen reasons to why he has decided to call for mass action against Ruto’s government.
Raila said that there is a need to protest against the high cost of living claiming it has been occasioned by massive looting of public resources and withdrawal of subsidies to food, fuel and education.
He said that the government must lower the cost of living or leave office.
Raila added that the protest will also be about over-taxation by the current regime which he said is killing businesses, impoverishing families and damaging opportunities for investments.
He said that Ruto must stop over-taxation for Kenya to economically recover.
“The importation of Genetically Modified Organisms(GMOs) by Ruto and the company is a scheme to destroy the country’s food basket and to make Kenyans slaves to the American multinationals while enriching his cronies. For this reason, Ruto must go,” Raila said.
Raila cited the fourth as the attempt by the government to single-handedly reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
He said the government’s refusal to open servers to affirm the truth is a show of electoral deceit and overthrowing the people’s will.
“The victimization of Commissioners Irene Marsit, Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi for standing with the truth against former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and his cabal in an electoral theft and their removal from office through a kangaroo tribunal was actually meant to create a Ruto IEBC,” he said.
Raila added that the Supreme court treated the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya presidential petition with judicial thuggery and politically biased remarks.
