In response to overwhelming public demand, Azimio La Umoja, led by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, has announced an expansion of anti-Ruto protests to three days next week, starting from July 19. The coalition has called upon its supporters to intensify the pressure against President William Ruto's government, citing the need to address rising living costs and other concerns.
In a statement released today, Azimio acknowledged the widespread requests from various sectors of the Kenyan public to escalate the 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," the statement read.
Raila Odinga, addressing the press on Thursday, reiterated the opposition's commitment to continue the peaceful protests until their demands are met. Despite the government's firm stance, Azimio assured their supporters that the demonstrations would persist.
Furthermore, the coalition pledged financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent round of protests and vowed to take legal action against police officers involved in what they termed as extrajudicial 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 brutalized Kenyans," the statement declared.
Accusing the government of deploying disguised goons to attack peaceful demonstrators across the country, Azimio claimed that Raila, backed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, aimed to undermine Kenya's struggling economy. President Ruto, however, dismissed these allegations and affirmed that his administration would not yield to opposition pressure. He emphasized their commitment to improving the lives of Kenyans.
The President's remarks followed Interior CS Kithure Kindiki's statement on July 12, where he vowed to arrest anyone involved in property destruction during the protests. "The Government has tonight 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 today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders," Kindiki declared.
As tensions rise between the government and the opposition, Kenya braces for an extended period of protests, uncertainty, and political unrest.