Government withdraws Raila’s security ahead of Azimio’s three-day protests
The government has withdrawn security personnel assigned to Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga ahead of the opposition’s planned three-day protests.
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka have similarly had their security withdrawn. More than 50 Azimio la Umoja MPs have also had their security withdrawn.
The security personnel that have withdrawn include more than 10 police officers who accompany Mr Odinga during his daily activities, as well as those assigned to guard his residences in Nairobi, Kisumu and Siaya.
On Sunday, Mr Odinga said there is plot by the government to harm Azimio la Umoja leaders during the planned protests.
In a tweet posted on Monday evening, Odinga wrote: “Starting on Wednesday, be ready for the game-changing maandamano. Tumechoka (we are tired).”
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Additionally, four Nyanza governors – Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay, James Orengo of Siaya, Prof. Anyang Nyong’o of Kisumu, and Ochilo Ayacko of Migori – have been directed to report their security personnel to Kisumu in preparation for the three-day mass demonstrations set to take place nationwide.
Despite the security setbacks, Azimio MPs held a Parliamentary Group meeting earlier in the day, affirming their commitment to proceed with the planned protests.
Addressing journalists after the Parliamentary Group meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Nairobi, the opposition legislators said the planned three-day protests are unstoppable.
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The legislator also took issue with the resolutions ate a similar meeting by Kenya Kwanza MPs at State House, Nairobi on Saturday.
“These protests will go on in line with Article 37 of our Constitution which provides for freedom of peaceful assembly and states that every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities,” National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said.
The withdrawal of security personnel has raised concerns over the safety and security of the opposition leaders.
However, some members of Azimio have expressed resilience and a belief that their security ultimately lies in the hands of a higher power.
Mr Odinga has announced that the planned protests will be of significant impact, with the primary objective of exerting pressure on the Kenya Kwanza government to address the high cost of living in country among other issues that the country is currently grappling with.