Azimio leaders say protests will continue on weekly basis, condemn arrests of colleagues
Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party leaders have warned that Monday’s protests are just a tip of the iceberg and that they will continue to hold demonstrations on a weekly basis until their demands are met.
The leaders, who addressed the media, thanked supporters for turning out and heeding their call, saying it was a representation of the true state of the nation.
They also condemned the arrests of their minority leaders in both houses of parliament and demanded their unconditional release within two hours.
“We want the leaders released in two hours, unconditionally,” Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said.
The group accused the government of misusing police to tame the protests and urged them to stop the retaliation, saying they were fighting for all Kenyans.
Other opposition leaders criticised heavy-handedness of police in quelling demos.
“We will not relent because of teargas, we will fight back. What we are planning is better imagined than experienced. We will be holding demos on a weekly basis,” Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said.
The protests are aimed at addressing issues such as corruption, electoral reforms, and economic development in Kenya.
On the whereabouts of Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio and former prime minister, the leaders simply said ‘Baba is coming and it will be lit.’
Monday’s anti-government protests were marred by tear gas and arrests as opposition leaders and supporters took to the streets to express their displeasure with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Protests led by Azimio leaders resulted in the arrests of both protestors and leaders.