Opposition Leaders Dismiss Allegations of Attempting to Stop June 25 Protests
The Wiper Democratic Movement party has dismissed allegations that opposition leaders have called for suspending demonstrations scheduled for Wednesday, June 25.
This is after Kalonzo Musyoka's party on Tuesday, June 24, flagged a viral social media post purporting that opposition leaders led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged the youths to suspend the protests due to the possible infiltration by goons.
The post, which was flagged as 'fake' by the Wiper Party, claimed that opposition leaders had alleged a government plan to deploy hundreds of goons and dangerous criminals to attack peaceful protesters.
According to the misleading post, individuals from Kibera, Mathare, Korogocho, and other informal settlements in Nairobi were allegedly recruited and transported to a central location for briefing, ahead of their deployment.
"500 youths from the North Rift region are being sworn in a forest in Nakuru County and will be ferried to Nairobi this evening. Each of the criminals and goons will be paid Ksh5,000 tomorrow morning," claimed the fake post.
It stated, "Considering the foregoing, opposition leaders wish to call on our supporters, the youth and all citizens, to stay away from tomorrow's demonstrations across the country."
The opposition leaders were forced to issue a clarification after a section of Kenyans raised concerns over the post, with some questioning the motive behind it.
To set the record straight, the Wiper Party accused government bloggers of allegedly attempting to mislead Kenyans about the opposition's stance on Wednesday’s demonstrations.
Contrary to the claims made in the viral post, Kalonzo Musyoka confirmed that the opposition leaders, including Gachagua, DAP-Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, and Martha Karua of the People's Liberation Party, would be participating in the protests.
“To those blood-based regime bloggers intent on misleading Kenyans on the United Opposition’s position on tomorrow, know your fake news attempt has only served to galvanise Kenyans. We will be marching tomorrow, June 25, peacefully in honour of our fallen heroes,” Kalonzo stated.
The opposition leaders' clarification comes on the back of the planned protests by Kenyans today to mark one year since the historic anti-government demonstrations that resulted in the death of tens of youths.
The nationwide protests are expected to commence in the morning hours, with protesters set to undertake coordinated marches in major towns in honour of those who died on the same date last year.
