Azimio Change Mass Protest Tactics After Leaders' Security Withdrawn

The Azimio la Umoja coalition on Tuesday, July 18 announced a change of plans regarding the planned mass protests set to run from Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21 in the wake of the security detail surrounding its senior leaders withdrawn.

Speaking during a presser at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation on the eve of the protests, Azimio principal Martha Karua revealed that the coalition will have three converging points in Nairobi that include Jacaranda Grounds, Joseph Kang'ethe Grounds and Kamukunji Grounds.

She further called upon Azimio supporters to come out in large numbers carrying sufurias as a way of demonstrating against the high cost of living, especially the high cost of unga.

Furthermore, motorists using Nairobi roads were advised to stop wherever they may be driving along highways and roads and hoot regularly as a show of solidarity with the planned mass demonstrations.

"Further, at midday tomorrow, we ask Kenyans to come out of their homes and bang sufurias, pots and pans. The sufuria movement kicks off tomorrow and continues until the battle is won.

"At that hour of midday, we call on motorists to stop wherever they are on highways and roads, hoot and flashlights in support of this movement," Karua said in the joint statement.

Karua, who was flanked by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee SG Jeremiah Kioni, assured supporters that they would not cower away from the protests despite losing their security detail.

She claimed that President William Ruto's government entered a deal with militia forces to curtail the process, lamenting that the move to strip senior leaders of their security came days after claims that the Head of State directed the Kenya Kwanza government to recruit supporters for a battle against protestors.

"The government has entered into a public-private partnership with the militia to cripple freedom of assembly and protests. The party further notes that the security withdrawal comes days after President Ruto promised to ‘safirisha’ Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.

"Indeed, we remain eternally grateful to Mr Ruto for uttering those words out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth spoke. It also comes days after Ruto openly instructed Kenya Kwanza to recruit and arm supporters for a confrontation with demonstrators," she added.

She further alleged that the withdrawal completes a process that began weeks ago, with scaling down and, in some cases, removal of the security cover of several of the party’s leaders in Parliament.

"We are aware that millions of Kenyans are exposed to danger every day and our lives are not in any way more precious than those of other Kenyans," she continued.

She further requested neighbouring countries not to support the Kenya Kwanza government by supplying ammunition and teargas meant to counter the protests.

Operation Support Unit

Kalonzo on his part opened up on the inner workings of the purported police gang dubbed Operation Support Unit (OSU), claiming to possess intelligence of the group consisting of five officers being armed with lethal weapons and better facilitation in logistics, communications and transportation.

He further accused the unit of being behind the killings in Mlolongo, Kamukunji and Jogoo Road.

"Each of the five occupants in the Subaru vehicles are from one ethnic community and their mission is to assassinate Azimio leaders and Kenyans protesting against the government. It is a squad that will kill people tomorrow and in other protests to come," he sensationally claimed.

Azimio leader, Raila Odinga was not present at the press conference as he had engagements in other critical issues elsewhere.

13 Foreign Powers Warn Ruto & Raila

Meanwhile, 13 European Ambassadors hours prior delivered a message to ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto saying they should embrace dialogue to avert demonstrations that could lead to loss of lives.

"We are saddened by the loss of life and concerned by high levels of violence, including the use of live rounds and the destruction of property, during the recent demonstrations," their statement read in part.

"We recognise the daily hardships faced by many Kenyans and urge all parties to table concerns through a meaningful dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully to build the nation together, ensuring no further loss of life." 

The 13 high commissioners and ambassadors are Luke Williams (High Commissioner, Australia), Christopher Thornley (High Commissioner, Canada), Ole Thonke (Ambassador, Denmark), Valentin Zellweger (Ambassador, Switzerland), Andrii Pravednyk (Ambassador, Ukraine), Josephine Gauld (Charge d'Affaires, United Kingdom) and Meg Whitman (Ambassador, United States)

Others who were a party to the statement are Pirkka Tapiola (Ambassador, Finland), Sebastian Groth, (Ambassador, Germany) and Fionnuala Quinlan (Ambassador, Ireland), Maarten Brouwer (Ambassador, Netherlands), Geir Arne Schei (Charge d'Affaires, Norway) and Caroline Vicini (Ambassador Sweden).