Karua trashes claims of ‘violent attacks on police officers’ during Azimio demo
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua has rubbished a statement from the National Police Service condemning violent attacks on police officers, members of the public, and the destruction of property during demonstrations by Azimio la Umoja supporters on Thursday.
The police harshly condemned what they termed as acts of violence and vandalism during the demonstrations saying those culpable will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
According to the National Police Service, one police officer died in Kisumu as a result of injuries sustained while on duty while 20 officers were seriously during the demos. The police also said property whose value is yet to be determined was destroyed by the protesters.
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However, in her response, Ms Karua said it was the police officers and goons hired by the government operatives who are responsible for the damage and injuries.
“You attack citizens & leaders in peaceful demonstrations to inflict harm & create opportunity for goons to loot then blame it on peaceful demonstrators #MaandamanoMonday” she tweeted.
Your officers & goons hired by government operatives are responsible & you know it . You attack citizens & leaders in peaceful demonstrations with the intention of inflicting harm & creating opportunity for goons to loot then blame it on peaceful demonstrators #MaandamanoMonday https://t.co/sSFF0fKQTW
— Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) March 31, 2023
Azimio leader Mr Raila Odinga on his part has condemned what he termed as use of excessive force by the police on the protesters as well as attack on journalists and members of his entourage.
“This is the third time the police are disrupting our meetings without any provocation. As we do this, we are within the Constitution and one day those in charge will be held to account,” Mr Odinga said as he maintained that the demonstration will continue regardless
“They have called us anarchists and that we want to destroy public property – the reason they are sending us the police but we will not retreat. We don’t fear the police even if they hurl teargas, spray us with water cannons, or jail us.”
Also read: US condemns attack on journalists during Azimio protests
“As Kenyans, we have the right to demand a forensic audit of the server to resolve this matter once and for all. Our quest won’t stop and we’ll hold the mother of all demonstrations next Monday, regardless of what our detractors say,” he said.
On Thursday, Azimio leaders among them Mr Odinga, Ms Karua and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka held stopovers in Imara Daima, Mukuru Kwa Njenga and Kware to address their supporters.
The Azimio entourage snaked through the Nairobi Eastlands areas as it headed to the Outer Ring Road for a planned rally at the Jacaranda grounds. Trouble started as the procession left Kware area to join Outer Ring Road, police vehicles, including water cannons, blocked their way forcing the motorcade to stop briefly before changing course.
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