Maandamano: Raila Odinga’s convoy teargassed in Nairobi
Police teargassed Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s convoy in Nairobi on March 20, 2023, as he was preparing to walk to town to join his supporters in the day-long demonstrations.
Mr Odinga and his supporters were cornered by a battalion of police officers as he left Serena hotel for Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on foot.
A brief altercation ensued as Police maintained they will not allow Mr Odinga to walk to town.
The Azimio leader then turned around and boarded one of his cars.
Soon after, Police fired a number of teargas canisters at supporters and journalists at the venue, prompting them to scamper for safety.
Mr Odinga’s convoy consisting of about 50 cars then took the opposite route away from the CBD and headed towards Kamukunji, a Nairobi suburb.
Earlier, Mr Odinga held meetings with Azimio-aligned political leaders at the Serena hotel.
He is said to have spent the night at the prestigious hotel.
Sources close to Mr Odinga say he had meetings with Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua, his running mate in the August 2022 polls.
Meanwhile, police arrested a number of opposition leaders in a day of high drama.
Earlier, hundreds of supporters stormed the Central Business District (CBD) and engaged the police in running battles.
Rour politicians were arrested and moved to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road.
They are Senate Minority leader Stewart Madzayo, National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, Amina Mnyazi (Malindi) and Ken Chonga, the Kilifi South Constituency MP.