Govt Has Withdrawn All Our Security - Azimio MPs Lament During Presser

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo was arrested by police officers at Nairobi CBD on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo was arrested by police officers at Nairobi CBD on Monday, March 20, 2023.
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Azimio Members of Parliament on Monday, March 20, lamented that the government had withdrawn their personal security detail during the planned mass action protest. 

Speaking outside Parliament Buildings, Nominated MP Nyakerario Mayaka noted that the members of the public would defend them during the running battles with police nevertheless. 

She urged Kenyans to rally behind their cause in a bid to petition the government to lower the cost of living. 

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"Even if you withdraw all our security, the public will protect us and we will all fight for things that affect Kenyans. Secondly, they stated that when Raila declared that Monday should be a holiday, he should have done a Gazette notice. 

"Raila himself is a human Gazette notice. If he says today is a day that we are out there fighting for Kenyans for the things they deserve and we are out there. Let us join hands and fight for this country," she stated. 

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed her sentiments and added that the police disrupted what was initially scheduled to be peaceful demonstrations across the country

"We have received reports of successful demos in every part of the country. What we want to condemn is the interference of police in the exercise of what is a Constitutional right. Our maandamano was scheduled to be peaceful but we have been assaulted, and arrested."

"If you look at me, you will notice that I'm wearing a different shirt because they tried to arrest me personally. They tried to strangle me in the streets and he went away with my blue t-shirt, I want it back," Sifuna stated. 

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, who was initially denied access to KICC, urged Azimio supporters to expect more demonstrations in the coming weeks.

"They are using taxpayers' money. Today was just a rehearsal, the real one is coming," the legislator stated.

"I want to condemn the arbitrary arrest of our leaders. As we speak, (National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo) Wandayi has been taken to Kiambu and we don't know what they want to do with him," Embakasi East MP Babu Owino corroborated.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, who was in attendance, also lamented that she was denied entry to Central Police Station to visit her clients, National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi and Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, who are in police custody. 

"We don't want and will not allow a dictatorship in this country. I sat with Ruto in the Parliamentary Select Committee and he is the one who moved the amendment to Article 37 of the Constitution that allows picketing. We want to tell him that we will neither tire nor relent and we will continue. 

"Everybody has a right to legal counsel. I rushed to Central police station and was denied entry as their legal counsel. What do they think lawyers go to school to do? We will still push on and continue," she stated.

Vandalism was recorded countrywide from robberies in Nairobi matatus to damage of properties in Kisumu during the demonstrations.

A photo of Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and ODM leaders at the Central Police Station on March20, 2023.jpg
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo(Second from Left) and ODM leaders at the Central Police Station on March 20, 2023.
Photo
Stewart Madzayo
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