Maandamano Live Blog: Day 2
3:00 pm: Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga brought to Milimani law courts. They are currently detained at the court cells awaiting for charges to be forwarded from the office of the director of public prosecutions.
1:26 pm: Opiyo Wandayi on Raila Odinga’s whereabouts: “This is a people movement it does not require someone to lead us. There is no cause for alarm. Baba is very safe and kicking. We are the face of Baba.”
1:25 pm: Opiyo Wandayi added, “At 3 PM Kenyans will converge at the Central Park in CBD we ask the police to provide security to the protesters.”
1:23 pm: Azimio leaders press conference. Opiyo Wandayi told the media, “We are delighted by the successful maandamano we have had. We thank Kenyans for showing up in large numbers to express their frustrations over the taxes imposed by this draconian regime. We look forward to the end of these demonstrations tomorrow evening.”
1:22 pm: National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi addressing journalists during Azimio MPs presser at the parliament media centre, Nairobi.
12.25 pm: Ag Kisumu County Commissioner Mr Hussein Al Hassan Hussein gives an update of the Kisumu demos, saying supermarkets and shops were looted yesterday (July 19). He says this is what they want to prevent today.
He also adds that parents have kept their children from school out of fear. He, however, assures them that schools are open and that they should bring them to school.
12:24 pm: Embakasi East MP Babu Owino released from Wang’uru police station following protests by his family and lawyer Ndegwa Njiru and taken to Nairobi area.
12.14 pm: Clear streets. Only a few people can be seen blocking the major roads in Kisumu. Generally, the protesters have been subdued since morning by police, who have made it difficult for them to converge. The anti-riot officers are doing frequent patrols to ensure the protesters do not access the major roads.
11:46 am: Little activities at Gikomba Market in Nairobi.
11:37 am: Dozens of trucks ferrying goods into the country parked at Namanga border town as a precaution against the ongoing Anti-government protests.
11:20 am: Normalcy returns at Mlolongolo town, and a few police officers are spotted monitoring the situation.
11:15 am: Normalcy returns in Mombasa County on day two of Azimio’s anti-government protest on July 20, 2023. Most businesses opened as residents went to work.
11:13 am: Nothing is going on at Kangemi memorial recreational park, where locals anticipate to be addressed by some Azimio leaders.
11:01 am: Police surveillance helicopter hovering over Jacaranda grounds.
11:00 am: Huruma Grounds, one of Azimio leaders’ convergence points today. The gates are still closed. No sign of activity.
11.00 am: Residents of Rhonda assist the police in clearing road blocked by protestors in Nakuru West.
10: 50 am: Nine demonstrators arrested in Dandora Nairobi plead guilty to a charge of taking part in unlawful protests against the government.
10:47 am: The entrance to Jacaranda has stones and ashes of burning tires and smoke.
10:43 am: Police clear the road barricaded by anti-government protestors in Rhonda estate in Nakuru Town West.
10:41 am: Some of the demonstrators arrested on Wednesday, July 19, were escorted to Milimani law courts cells.
10:35 am: Jacaranda grounds has a reinforced police presence. The Nairobi Region police commander Adamson Bungei is present.
10.30 am: Normalcy returns in the Shabaab area in Nakuru West as most businesses are open.
10.30 am: Lamu branch Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) wants Maandamano declared a national disaster and calls for dialogue between President William Ruto and opposition leader (Azimio) Raila Odinga to end the ongoing nationwide protests.
10:13 am: Calm has returned to Wote Town in Makueni County, where a protestor succumbed to gunshot wounds on Wednesday, July 19. Heavy police presence in the streets.
10:07 am: Calm in Lodwar town Turkana County.
10:02 am: Police eject Babu Owino’s family from Wang’uru police station in Kirinyaga.
9.58 am: It is a ghost town at the Kisumu CBD, including the usually busy Oginga Odinga Street in Kisumu.
9.55 am: In Kibuye, Kisumu, there are clear roads. No traffic on Kisumu – Kakamega Road, where protesters had barricaded on Wednesday, July 19.
9.54 am: In Kitengela, normalcy returns. Traders continue opening their businesses. Heavy police presence.
9:35 am: Tension is high at Siaya law courts as people throng into the court. Siaya Township MCA Obiero Otare, arrested on Wednesday, July 19, for leading demonstrations, is supposed to appear before the court.
9:30 am: A man displays a used cartridge and a teargas canister in Homa Bay town. Residents appeal to the police not to use excessive force.
9:28 am: Embakasi East MP Babu Owino held at Wang’uru police station in Kirinyaga county. Family members and friends camping at the station demanding his release.
Also read: Babu Owino’s wife pleads with government to secure his release
9:12 am: State House Road blocked at Dennis Pritt roundabout.
9:00 am: A few businesses have opened up in the Nairobi CBD on day two of the anti-government demonstrations.
8:57 am: Businesses are open as usual in Voi town, Taita Taveta County.
8:50 am: Quite a number of businesses have opened up in the Nairobi CBD ahead of the anti-government protests.
8:50 am: A police van is on standby outside Naivas, Moi Avenue. Inside it are armed officers in uniform and civilian wear.
8.47 am: Police Land cruiser keeping watch at the Kondele flyover. No protestors below the Kondele flyover where they usually converge.
8:43 am: Little activity within Nakuru CBD, with many shops yet to open.
8.42 am: Police officers patrol in Voi town, Taita Taveta County. The county is calm, with residents going about their normal businesses.
8.30 am: Lamu Old Town Seafront with people going about their duties as usual. No protests.
8:29 am: In Nairobi CBD, a few officers patrol the streets in uniform. A bit more businesses have opened today. There’s a tinted van that has dropped more cops along Kenyatta Avenue.
8:23 am: Homa Bay town: Several youths collect used tires which they intend to use to light bonfires on major roads.
8:12 am: Heavy police presence in Kitengela town. A handful of businesses have opened. There are a few vehicles on the road.
8:10 a.m: Few people on the streets of Kakamega town.
8:10 a.m: At Brooke Trading Centre in Kericho, traffic is slow, and at the main matatu stage in Kericho few passengers are traveling.
7: 56 am: Homa Bay: A few traders have opened their businesses. Some people gather in groups
7: 55 am: Maandamano aftermath. Most streets in Homa Bay town are still littered with stones that protestors used yesterday, July 19.
7.19 am: Security officers have just begun patrolling Kisii town. Nation /Ruth Mbula
7.07 am: A calm Kisii town, a handful of people getting to work, but tires lit yesterday night still smoldering. Nation /Ruth Mbula
Incase you missed yesterday’s live blog, check it out here.