Raila Odinga, on Friday, July 7, ordered his followers to march into Central Park, Nairobi, for another rally, despite the police warning him against leading protests into the Central Business District (CBD).
The opposition leader issued the directive minutes after leading Azimio la Umoja Saba Saba rally at the Kamukunji Grounds. The Friday, July 7 rally culminated in nationwide protests to pressure President William Ruto's government to repeal some sections of the Finance Act 2023.
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4:44 pm: Raila holds a press conference and says Aziimio La Umoja will form its own electoral commission. Kenya Kwanza, he lamented, proceeded to recruit and form the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission without consulting the opposition.
"We will also not allow Kenya Kwanza to ruin Azimio La Umoja constituent parties," Raila added.
3:55 pm: Raila celebrates after outmanoeuvring anti-riot police officers and successfully making his way to Nairobi's Central Business District.
3:55 pm: Raila celebrates after outmanoeuvring anti-riot police officers and successfully making his way to Nairobi's Central Business District.
While addressing the media at Jaramogi Foundation after a two-hour-long procession from Kamukunji Grounds, Raila emphasised that they would not relent in demonstrations.
"We have gotten into the CBD, which is a huge achievement. I saw you picking and returning the teargasses after they were lobbed.
"They should know that there is no turning back at this point. We will continue with the demonstration up until when our demands shall be met," Raila declared.
The ODM Party Leader also cautioned the police against instigating violence, noting that no businesses were destroyed despite having a procession throughout Nairobi.
3:28 pm: Protesters engage police in running battles along University Way, Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue as anti-riot police spray the demonstrators using water canons as tear gas fumes fill the area.
Raila's convoy reaches Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) after police officers fail to stop his movement. On Friday, July 7, Nairobi Regional Commander warned the ODM Party Leader against attempting to lead a protest within CBD.
However, in defiance, Raila ordered his supporters to use any means possible to reach Central Park in the Central Business District.
2:40 pm: Raila's convoy teargassed as he makes his way to Nairobi's Central Business District. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader led his supporters to Central Park when the police officer countered his movement.
2:10 pm: Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka leads protests in Kathiani Market, Machakos. Azimio la Umoja organised the protests to demand a lowering the cost of living.
The protesters marched to Kathiani Market, where they held a rally. Musyoka addressed the rally, calling on President William Ruto to withdraw sections of the Finance Act 2023 which introduced new taxes.
The protests were peaceful, and no arrests were made. However, the protests highlight the growing tensions between Azimio la Umoja and Ruto's government.
2:00 pm: Martha Karua, the leader of the Narc Kenya party, led a Saba Saba meeting at Difathas in Kirinyaga.
Karua's meeting was attended by a relatively large group, including supporters and other opposition leaders. Karua used the meeting to launch a scathing attack on President Ruto's administration.
The former justice minister and a leading figure in Kenyan politics explained that Kenya Kwanza's led Finance Act 2023 had introduced a new tax burden on the people.
1:30 pm: Raila defies Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei's directive in which he ordered the Azimio la Umoja not to take protest to the Central Business District (CBD).
"We are heading to Central Park in the Nairobi's CBD where we are going to converge for other meetings," Raila stated.
Raila also asked his supporters to maintain peace and avoid confrontations with law enforcement officers.
"We gather here peacefully in order to have a conversation. We will not engage in criminal activities that lead to the destruction of property," Raila stated.
Bungei, who had only allowed Azimio to converge at Kamukunji grounds, ordered his police to arrest protesters who defy his directive.
"We want to inform members of the public that they have applied for a baraza meeting and not a demonstration as people are talking.
"We have only legalised the Kamukunji meeting and we will not allow any other meeting anywhere else. It will be a working day and at the baraza in Kamukunji we will provide security and there is no cause for alarm," Bungei cautioned.
1:15 pm: Raila addresses his supporters at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi, where he claimed that President William Ruto had ignored the pleas from Kenyans.
He stated that the Kenya Kwanza administration assumed the gravity of the Bipartisan Talks, forcing him to order his team to suspend the meeting indefinitely.
"Time for talks is over. We will now rely on the Constitution to decide our future," Raila tells Azimio la Umoja supporters in Nairobi.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader threatened to lead his supporters in seeking self-determination based on the provisions of the Constitution.
"We are currently collecting signatures which will determine our social strength and final resolve for self-determinations," Raila stated.
12:50 pm: A protester wrestles a police officer to the ground during Azimio la Umoja anti-government demonstrations on Saba Saba Day. Reports indicate that police called for backup after more protesters breached security.
12:30 pm: Former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi was reportedly arrested by police officers who barred him from leading anti-government protests in Nyahurur Town.
It was reported that the former Governor was being detained at Nyahururu Police Station where the officers were to process him in readiness for a possible charge.
On Thursday, July 6, Jubilee Party informed the Officer Commanding Nyahururu Police Station of their intention to hold a procession in the town in protest against President William Ruto's government.
"This is to notify you that the Jubilee Party, Laikipia Branch, will be holding a peaceful procession in Nyahururu Town on Friday, the 7th of July 2023.
"For the avoidance of doubt, this is not an application for permission as none is required under Article 37. This is a notification to enable the police to provide adequate security to the demonstrators. Your cooperation will be highly appreciated," read part of a letter written by Thomas King'ori, Chairman of Jubilee Party, Laikipia Branch.
12:40 pm: Raila's convoy makes its way to Kamukunji Grounds, where his supporters gathered to hold anti-government protests against President William Ruto's administration.
The Azimio la Umoja leader received a warm reception from his supporters.
12:24 pm: Azimio MPs George Aladwa (Makadara), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Peter Orero (Kibra), and Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands) arrive at Kamukunji grounds ahead of Raila’s speech.
12:20 pm: Police teargas demonstrators chanting against the high cost of living on Kimathi Street near Nation Centre.
12:00 pm: Nandi Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei calls for the arrest of Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga. Cherargei accused Raila of inciting violence and stated that he should be arrested and charged in a court of Law.
"If Raila is arrested today, what's the worst that can happen? Will Kenya stop? No, will the world come to an end? No will the cost of living come down? Yes! Will Kenyans be happy? Yes!.
"Maandamos continues to disrupt Peace and its economic sabotage. The Country is likely to lose Ksh100 billion because of sterile demonstrations," Charergei stated.
11:50 am: A group of protesters lit a bonfire in Kisii County as they demonstrated against the high cost of living in the country. The demonstrators blocked Kisii-Kilgoris Highway in response to a protest called by Azimio la Umoja Coalition.
11:30 am: Mombasa MPs condemn police officers for interfering with peaceful Saba Saba protests in the county. The police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse protestors.
“Aluta Continua! No retreat, no surrender,” Likoni MP Mishi Mboko vows to continue with Sabasaba demonstrations after police dispersed protestors with teargas.
11:09 am: Police lob teargas to disperse protesters in Moi Avenue Road, Mombasa.
11:00 am: Security heightened in Kisumu city's CBD as most businesses remain closed ahead of planned anti-government demonstrations.
In Migori County, Police officers remove stones placed on the road by protestors demonstrating against President William Ruto's administration.
10:30 am: Police officers in civilian clothes arrest a number of people at the Nairobi Central Business District following the ongoing Sabasaba demonstrations against the government.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) criticised the police officers, urging them to allow protesters to conduct peaceful demonstrations.
"Cops decided to show their unique approach to addressing our plea for affordable living costs—by disrupting a peaceful protest with the ultimate combo of arrests & tear gas. Our determination is unshakeable and rivals even the most stubborn police tactics," KHRC stated.
The demonstrators, who also included women and youth, were teargassed as they protested closer to City Hall in Nairobi.
Overwhelmed by the choking smoke of the teargas, the demonstrators are forced to run to other streets, briefly abandoning the protest.
10:30 am: Security is tight in Kisumu as Azimio la Umoja supporters begin anti-government demonstrations in protest against the rising cost of living.
While exercising caution, police in Kisumu erect roadblocks leading to State House in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Mombasa following the coalition's threats to hold protests in the Capital City's Central Business District.
10:10 am: Azimio la Umoja supporters are seen trooping from various parts of Nairobi as they march to Kamukunji Grounds for the Saba Saba Day.
9:40 am: Unverified reports claim that police in Nairobi dispersed a group of youth who had blocked traffic and were attacking motorists on the Thika Super Highway.
9:30 am: According to recent reports, protests have erupted in certain areas of Nairobi, resulting in traffic disruptions. Protesters along Thika Road were said to have set tires ablaze and targeted vehicles with stones, leaving motorists stranded.
While responding to the reports, Nandi Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei urged the police to move swiftly and clear the blocked highway, noting that the protest would affect businesses.
"The acts of lawlessness reported along Thika Road are equal to economic sabotage. The acts of hooliganism, violence & intimidation are the signature of Azimio-OKA/ Tinga/ Uhuru demos.
"If need be the police should cancel the Maandamos and deal ruthlessly with law breakers including arresting organisers," Cherargei urged.
