Raila Urges Supporters To Keep Off Nairobi Estates During Tuesday Protests

Raila instructed his supporters to converge at Central Park in Nairobi instead of invading other people's residences

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May 1, 2023 - 12:48 Updated: May 1, 2023 - 13:01
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Raila Urges Supporters To Keep Off Nairobi Estates During Tuesday Protests
Azimio Leader Raila Odinga addressing supporters in Murang'a County on April 20, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga on Monday, May 1, assured President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that his supporters would not go near the residential areas of Nairobi during the Tuesday, May 2 protests.

In a press briefing at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation, Raila instructed his supporters to converge at Central Park in Nairobi instead of invading other people's residences and destroying property, adding that they were directed to be peaceful during the demonstrations.

He added that after Central Park, Raila and his supporters would march to the Office of the President, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the National Treasury, and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to present their petitions in adherence to his earlier directive.

"We assure Mr Ruto and Mr Gachagua that there will be no destruction of people's properties, our people have been told to be peaceful, they're not even going to go to where people's places are, we are not going to markets, shops.

Raila Odinga addressing Kibra residents on March 27, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

"We have said that we are going to assemble at Central Park in the city of Nairobi and march to the IEBC headquarters and present a petition there, march to the Office of the President along Uhuru Highway and present a petition, and also go to the Treasury buildings, there are no businesses along those streets, so therefore, nobody should come up with excuses that they're going to protect people's property tomorrow," he stated.

While being pressed for clarification on invading residential areas in the city during previous protests, Raila claimed that the coalition did not choose to go to the areas on the basis of being barred from entering the Central Business District (CBD).

"Last time, we were barred from entering the CBD, we never chose to go to places like Mathare, Kibra, Kangemi, Pipeline and so on. We had applied to present our petition to the parties concerned," he indicated.

Nonetheless, Raila affirmed that the demonstrations will be held as planned from 6.00 am and instructed his supporters to show up unarmed and ready to deliver their petitions to the Kenya Kwanza administration. 

"We confirm that they are on tomorrow beginning at 6:00 am. As we stated, the Constitution provides that every person has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.

"Our demonstrators tomorrow have been informed that demos are going to be peaceful. No one is allowed to carry any weapon. Nobody should try to interfere with anybody's private business. We are basically demonstrating to present our petitions to respective authorities," he stated. 

Raila further condemned the National Police Service (NPS) for banning the demonstrations arguing that Nairobi Police boss Adamson Bungei did not have the mandate to issue such a directive on the basis of premeditated violence.

"Police cannot decide in advance that there shall be violence then proceed to ban political activities protected by the Constitution. That is the making of a dictatorship. It amounts to a suspension of the Constitution. We will resist," he added.

Police officers during a media briefing on April 30, 2023. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

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