Maandamano! Calm in Mombasa, running battles, teargas in Nairobi
Mombasa remained relatively calm on March 20, 2023, as Azimio demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and its outskirts geared up.
Reports from the Coastal region, one of the opposition strongholds, indicate that the county remained quiet.
Businesses were running as usual, as locals seemingly paid less attention to the ongoing protests.
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In Nairobi, Azimio supporters engaged in endless battles with a contingent of police officers deployed to beef up security.
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Chaos erupted in Kibra and some streets in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD)
At Congo, an ‘estate’ in the city’s slums, some of the protesters, including boda boda operators, were arrested by police officers for picketing.
The arrests have also been witnessed in CBD, with three Azimio Members of Parliament being handcuffed for defying police orders.
The legislators allied to the opposition include; Ugunja MP Mr Opiyo Wandayi, who is also the National Assembly minority leader, his senate counterpart Mr Stewart Madzayo and a female lawmaker.
They were arrested while going to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), to join other Azimio leaders.
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Soon after their entrance, they were dismissed by police officers who hurled teargas canisters at them.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Secretary General, Mr Edwin Sifuna led Azimio supporters at the KICC, stating that Monday’s demonstrations are the start of the operation to ‘salvage’ the country.
“Wakenya tibim, Wakenya tialala…Ukombozi umeanza,” the Nairobi senator told the supporters through a video posted by Azimio leader, Raila Odinga through his Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Nairobi News has established that a police officer has shot one person at Toi Market during the Monday protests.
The demonstrator was rushed to Iran Medical Hospital along Ngong Road.
Raila Odinga insists the countrywide protests will be halted when the set Azimio ultimatums are fulfilled.
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