Police Block Roads Leading To State House

A separate police contingent was also deployed to secure the Kisumu County State Lodge.

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Mar 8, 2023 - 08:46 Updated: Mar 8, 2023 - 09:05
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Police Block Roads Leading To State House
Police mount road blocks on roads leading to State House on March 8, 2023. /TWITTER

Police on Wednesday, March 8 mounted a series of roadblocks on all roads leading to State House in Nairobi as well as those bound for State Lodges countrywide.

In Nairobi, security was beefed up along roads leading to the highest office in the land with a heavy presence of police officers in anticipation of mass protests by a section of Kenyans over the high cost of living.

Police were deployed with spikes at various points on major roads including State House Road, State House Avenue, Processional Way and Dennis Pritt where they briefly stopped and questioned motorists.

As early as 6 am, the teams had arrived and at times turned away motorcyclists, further stating they were under instructions not to allow the motorcyclists as they could be used to ferry crowds to State House for the protests.

Police officers cordon off Kisumu State Lodge on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. /TWITTER.SETH OLALE

A separate police contingent was also deployed to secure the Kisumu County State Lodge.

The roadblocks had coincided with Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga's earlier announcement that the mass action would commence if President William Ruto does not meet the demands by the coalition to lower the cost of living in 14 days.

The ultimatum, which expires on Wednesday midnight, has however generated some confusion on if the planned mass action by Azimio leaders would continue.

On February 22, Raila gave the Kenya Kwanza government 14 days for the food subsidies to be restored to protect Kenyans from the high cost of living, for the taxes imposed on Kenyans to come down, for the process of reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to stop and for the opening of servers.

“The deadline is today at midnight, so expect to hear from us on Thursday morning, March 9,” warned the Azimio leader.

Raila Odinga further dismissed the selection panel constituted to select new IEBC commissioners. 

While announcing the ultimatum, the former Prime Minister further compelled the government to subsidise fees to fulfil a 100 per cent transition in a bid to tackle the rising cases of learners dropping out of school.

Raila further called for the end to electoral deceit, specifically for the services to be opened and audited under the auspices of a reputable firm or organisation, failure to which "we shall lead people to restore their authority and voice.”

"If these demands are not heeded within 14 days, we shall lead Kenyans to massive mass action across the country to take their power back and restore sanity," Raila threatened.

Raila further referenced the book of Amos 5:11 and referred to Prophet Amos' warning which stated:

"You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them," quoted Raila.

Among the actions he revealed he would take, while attending the burial of Luo Council of Elders Chairman Opiyo Otondi on March 4, would be to lead a mass rally marching to State House in Nairobi to put pressure on Ruto.

The Head of State however brushed off Raila's demands and affirmed that he would not be coerced into giving in to opposition demands.

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