Police Teargas Azimio Supporters During Raila's Kiambu Rally

Police officers in Kiambu Town on Friday, March 17 dispersed teargas during an Azimio la Umoja rally to restore order after the event was momentarily disrupted.

Former presidential candidate George Wajackoyah was addressing the crowd before it scattered in different directions in the wake of teargas disseminating within the area.

"You police officers, stop throwing teargas at citizens. This is a peaceful meeting," he could be heard addressing.

Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, on his part, condemned the move maintaining that his coalition won't stop in its push against the President William Ruto-led government despite attempts to stop them.

"Tell that officer that we will proceed with our march despite the teargas and any form of intimidation attempt," he stated. 

The cause of the disruption witnessed at the rally was however not immediately and clearly established amid claims that there were plans to interfere with the proceedings. 

At the same time, preparations for the Azimio la Umoja Coalition rally planned in Githurai were disrupted momentarily after a group of rowdy youth dismantled the dais.

The unidentified persons stormed the venue moments before the arrival of the Azimio convoy led by Raila and scattered the seats as well as the main dais in the venue. 

"In Githurai, hired goons dismantled the dais. It is being set up again," Director of Communications at the Orange Democratic Movement-ODM party Philip Etale claimed. 

The Azimio convoy was set to hold rallies in the region after traversing several towns in Kiambu County amidst their increasing push for mass action.

The developments come three days before the anticipated main rally by the Azimio faction on Monday, March 20 which would see Azimio supporters stage an anti-President William Ruto procession in Nairobi.

Constitutional lawyer Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno (PLO) Lumumba, during an interview with Citizen TV, however, condemned Raila for using the mass action protests as an attempt to overthrow the government, noting that his actions are tantamount to treason.

He made reference to the demonstrations witnessed in Kisumu on Wednesday, March 15 which saw protesters storm an ongoing meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga sports ground which was being presided over by Communications Authority (CA) Director General Ezra Chiloba, causing panic among the attendees and ransacked areas that had food, drinking water, juices and other foodstuffs.

Lumumba feared that if the demonstrations, which were condemned by ICT Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo were a precursor to Raila and his followers overrunning State House, then their move will infringe on the constitutional right to hold peaceful demonstrations and become anarchic.

Azimio dias in Githurai destroyed ahead of the Raila rally. /TWITTER. SETH OLALE