Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on Tuesday, May 2, claimed that the state withdrew the personal security of its leader Raila Odinga and his former running mate Martha Karua.
In a statement, the party further noted that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila's wife Ida Odinga were also affected.
ODM noted that the move was made by the government while they led mass protests across the country.
"The Ruto government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of security details of Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka together with those of other elected leaders in Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition," read the statement in part.
ODM Communications Director Philip Etale, in a separate statement, maintained that the withdrawal will not deter the opposition from standing up against the regime.
"Even with the withdrawal of security detail of Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka, Azimio supporters are undeterred. They will provide 24-hour security to their leaders," he stated.
During the protests, the Azimio coalition leaders were held up in a meeting at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Upper Hill, Nairobi, where they were discussing issues pertaining to the bipartisan talks.
They stated that police officers were deployed across different areas in Nairobi which deterred them from presenting their petitions as they had earlier planned.
"Unfortunately, because of the mayhem, we were not able to present the petitions to the four offices.
"Our MPS who were on their way to begin the presentations were not allowed to access the public office. Despite being peaceful and unarmed, they were met with teargas and gunshots," Karua stated in a press conference after the protests.
Further, Raila asked the police to respect the rights of the protesters after claiming that some of his staff were subjected to the brutal force of the police.
"The police destroyed our media team's equipment as they lobbed teargas at a petrol station," Raila lamented in a statement released on Tuesday, May 2," Raila stated.
Azimio la Umoja, resumed protests on Tuesday, May 2, with supporters and police engaged in a running battle across the country.
