Opposition Leader Raila Odinga has maintained that they are not touching people’s properties during their protests
He has called upon his troops to avoid destroying properties of innocent Kenyans who have born the brunt of heavy taxation
Elsewhere, Laikipia Former Governor Nderitu Muriithi arrested in Nyahururu town leading protests
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition’s Leader Raila is leading thousands of demonstrators matching from Kamukunji Grounds to Central Park in Nairobi’s CBD against police orders
Announcing the planned itinerary during the Saba Saba Procession at Kamukunji Grounds to mark the freedom of expression, Raila said that they will pitch camp at Central Park to demand government lower the cost cost of living
“We want to tell Mr President that Finance Bill, 2023 is meant to fleece Kenyans dry and we can’t afford to let the illegitimate administration impose hefty taxation on poor Kenyans,” Raila posed
During the protests, former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Mureithi affiliated to opposition has been roughed up and arrested by anti riots police after he had arrived at Nyahururu town in Laikipia County to lead Saba Saba protests
Odinga, had been given a green light to hold peaceful demonstrations at night by Nairobi County Police after their efforts to cancel opposition’s planned sabasaba match went futile
However, anti riot police have teargassed several folllowers amid turn of events to disperse them as they sung against the reign of President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
“Ruto and Gachagua token State House, achane funguo kwa mama mboga, we are at Bus Station coming to State House via Central Park,” They were heard on their clarion call.
Mr Odinga has since demanded President William Ruto to get rid of Finance Bill, 2023 which has been halted by courts pending final determination of Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah’s petition where he’d challenged it at the courts
Adding pressure, opposition wants the voice of Kenyans to be heard through peaceful protests as the sovereignity of power is vested on them and no unconstitutional policies and directives should be implemented while torturing them
Moreover, several protesters have been arrested by police owing to the destruction of properties in different parts of the country