Azimio la Umoja Raila Odinga on Wednesday, July 12, called off the expected rally at Kamukunji over reports of a planned attack.
The former Prime Minister stated that the decision to call off the rally was informed by intelligence indicating that opposition supporters would be targeted in the rally.
A day earlier, there were signs that the government and the opposition were headed for a clash.
Inspector General Japhet Koome outlawed the Azimio protest, claiming that the coalition did not notify the police of the planned protests.
Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua also warned Kenyans against taking part in the protests, vowing to protect lives and businesses. The ruling coalition's allies called for the arrest of Raila and his supporters.
Earlier in the day, Raila had unveiled a digital signature platform aimed at collecting 15 million signatures to delegitimise the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Fast forward to Wednesday, July 12, opposition supporters continued with the protests anyway despite cancellation of the Kamukunji rally.
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5:40 pm: Parents rush to Kihumbuini Primary School after the tragedy that saw pupils faint after being teargassed by anti-riot officers. Over 30 pupils are nursing injuries at a local hospital.
5:05 pm: Kitengela police station is left in a desolate state after protestors vandalised and torched the Assistant County Commissioner's office.
4:46 pm: Former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi and Laikipia West MP aspirant Sarolyne Wanjiku were arrested by anti-riot police officers. The MP aspirant tried to resist arrest and was bundled into the police vehicle by the officers.
4:35 pm: Gunmen in Subarus shoot in the air to disperse Mlolongo protestors. Some of the vehicles lacked number plates. Reports indicated that the gunmen were police officers as they were armed with AK47 rifles.
Further, officers who were deployed in the area warned the residents of any gathering of sorts. A special police unit was dispatched to deal with the Mlolongo situation. They began walking into various estates in Mlolongo where they claimed the protestors were hiding.
4:13 pm: School children get caught up in chaos as the situation escalates in Mlolongo.
4:02 pm: Fire breaks out at a market in Juakali area, Kisumu as protestors engage police in Kondele and Kachok.
3:52 pm: Protesters pelt stones at a local Supermarket in Mlolongo area.
3:47 pm: A contingent of police officers flee for safety after engaging protestors at Emali town.
3:36 pm: Several protestors are arrested along Jogoo Road after police engage the rowdy youth in running battles.
3:30 pm: Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya faults police for the damages incurred to his vehicle. He claimed that he was heading to an official's house for tea before the chaos ensued.
"As you can see they aimed at my car and at that time there were no demonstrations. We were going to mheshimiwa's house for tea and were to appear in town later. They began pelting us and police officers lobbed teargas at my car. Quite a number of people, who were not involved in the protests, were being beaten by police," he noted.
3: 23 pm: Anti-government protesters break into a local supermarket in Kitengela.
3:20 pm: Death toll rises to three after two more people are killed during anti-government protests in Mlolongo area.
3:12 pm: Protestors overpower police officers who scamper for safety.
3:05 pm: Kihumbuini Primary School Pupils in Kangemi faint after being teargassed by anti-riot officers who were dispersing a group of protesters in the estate.
The pupils were reportedly playing in the school compound when they were caught in the crossfire of the tear gas as police engaged the youth who were allegedly looting the shops.
3:03 pm: Residents barricade Embu - Mwea - Nairobi highway in protest against the high cost of living
2:58 pm: Police officers disperse the crowd that had gathered at Kamukunji in anticipation of the Azimio rally.
2:52 pm: Raila lauded his supporters for taking a stand against the government and showing up in masses across the country.
"Kenyans understand that suffering will be the new normal if Ruto gets away with the Finance Act 2023 and other decisions he is currently pursuing. We won't move on until Ruto repeals the Finance Act 2023, commits to respect and stop interfering with other parties and adopts measures that would lower the cost of living," he added.
2:46 pm: The ODM leader stated that goons were sponsored to vandalise property to pin the blame on the opposition. He, however, confirmed that nationwide protests would continue until President William Ruto repeals sections of the Finance Act 2023.
2:43 pm: Opposition leader Raila urged his supporters to continue with the fight and exercise civil disobedience in protest against the current regime.
"As Kenyans, we have a duty to liberate ourselves as we have always done. It will not be easy but it has to be done. With unity and commitment, we will force Ruto to give a good deal. We will shortly communicate the next course of action. With unity, we shall overcome," Raila noted.
2:40 pm: While addressing the media, Raila canceled the Kamukunji rally over reports of a planned attack.
"Late last night, we received intelligence of a plan by Kenya Kwanza to ferry armed goons who would attack our rally in Kamukunji. These goons had express orders to shoot directly at the crowd while enjoying police protection," Raila stated.
2:17 pm: School children crossing a street scamper for safety in Homa Bay town as police engage demonstrators.
2:08 pm: Police chase former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya's vehicle from Busia market.
2:00 pm: Sources reveal that Azimio coalition principals will hold a media briefing at Jaramogi Odinga Oginga Foundation 2:30 pm before proceeding to Kamukunji for major rally.
1:45 pm: A police car was pelted with stones in Nakuru County.
1:41 pm: Angry youth stone private cars in Busia County.
1:40 pm: One police officer was injured after protesters invaded Kitengela police station.
1:33 pm: Police lob teargas at protestors in Nakuru County.
1:28 pm: Azimio supporters lead anti-government chants in Makindu, Makueni County.
1:24 pm: One confirmed dead in Emali, Makueni County, as officers engaged protesters who pelted stones at a local bank and torched a police vehicle.
1:21 pm: Martha Karua, Peter Munya and Jeremiah Kioni forced to take boda boda after they were blocked by police from holding a press conference at a Meru Hotel.
1:07 pm: Azimio supporters lead anti-government protests in Kirinyaga. They fault President Ruto for reneging on his campaign promises.
1:05 pm: Protestors overpower police officers in Mathare.
1:00 pm: KTN photojournalist Collins Oduor was attacked by police officers and was rushed to Kisumu County Referral Hospital.
12: 54 pm: ODM deputy party leader Wycliffe Oparanya and Roots party leader George Wajackoyah lead anti-government protests in Busia.
12:48 pm: Protestors scamper for safety as police officers disperse the crowd at Kondele, Kisumu County.
12:44 pm: Anti-government protestors torch a police car at Emali on the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
12:41 pm: Protestors overpower police officers in Kamukunji ahead of the planned Azimio rally.
12:40 pm: Transport paralysed on Namanga road as protestors block the major Kenya-Tanzania highway.
12:34 pm: Opposition supporters block a section of Waiyaki Way at Kangemi.
12:30 pm: Police disperse protestors gathered at Kamukunji ahead of Azimio leaders' speeches.
12:27 pm: Protestors in Nyeri block roads and burn tyres as anti-government demonstration against the rising cost of living picks across the country.
12:10 pm: Police camp at Raila's Karen home ahead of his planned rally and mass protest at Nairobi's Kamkunji grounds.
12:05 pm: KTN News reporter Francis Ode scampers for safety while covering Azimio demonstrations in Mathare.
12:00 pm: Nairobi Expressway closed after protestors vandalised some sections.
11:38 am: Striking PSV operators in Murang'a fault President Ruto's government for not fulfilling their campaign promises.
11:35 am: Police officers pelt stones at Royal Media Services vehicle along Mbagathi Road. The journalists were heading to cover maandamano in Nairobi.
11:32 am: Matatu operators in Nyeri play volleyball at the bus park while protesting over the high fuel cost.
11:31 am: Anti-government protestors vandalised the barrier to Nairobi Expressway near Mlolongo, Machakos County.
11:21 am: Police officers successfully repelled a group of youth in Kibera who were attempting to cross Mbagathi Way into Nairobi city centre.
11:21 am: Police officers arrest three protestors in Nakuru County.
11:16 am: Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi teargassed by police officers as he leads anti-government protests.
11:10 am: Roads blocked and fires lit at Getare and Jogoo areas in Kisii town
11:02 am: Paloma Gatabaki, communications lead of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, alleged that police officers had taken down tents, sound system and locked the gate to a field set to host the protestors in Wote, Makueni County.
11:00 am: Security was beefed up in Kamukunji, Nairobi ahead of Azimio's planned Maandamano.
10:58 am: PSV drivers withdrew their vehicles at designated stages in Nakuru County as no traffic was witnessed on major roads.
10:55 am: The majority of businesses remained closed in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) in anticipation of the anti-government protests.
10:50 am: Residents in Nyeri County protested against the high cost of living.
10:47 am: Azimio anti-government engaged police in running battles in Mathare.
10:42 am: Demonstrators in Kisumu County turned a bus terminus into a football field as they enjoyed a match, with onlookers watching at a distance.
10:38 am: Heavy police presence was deployed to Wote town in Makueni County in anticipation of anti-government protests led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
10:34 am: Protestors barricaded the Siaya-Kisumu highway in protests against the government
10:31 am: Chairman Kenya Drivers Association David Masinde faulted Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen for engaging with 'brokers' instead of stakeholders at the grassroots level who understood matatu drivers' plight.
10:22 am: Matatu operators withdrew their vehicles at various stages in Kakamega County.
10:14 am: Police lobbed teargas at protestors who lit tyres in Emali town along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
10:05 am: Demonstrators barricaded roads in Nyamira as the protestors led chants against the government.
9:55 am: Azimio supporters blocked major roads in Homa Bay County in protest of the high cost of living.
9:46 am: Police officers lob teargas at protestors in Mombasa County. Most of the businesses remained closed due to the anti-gov't protests.
9:41 am: Anti-government protestors lit tyres on fire along the road in Kibera.
9:34 am: Passengers were stranded as PSV operators staged demonstrations at Nyeri bus terminus over fuel prices.
9:31 am: Protesters block Kisii-Nyamira Road along Ting'a area.
9:24 am: Transport was paralysed in Migori town as police officers were dispatched to disperse protestors who had blocked the roads.
8:53 am: Demonstrators in Kisii and Kisumu burnt tyres and placed stones along major roads in protest of the high cost of living.
8:04 am: Businesses remained closed, and minimal activities were witnessed in Kisumu ahead of Maandamano Wednesday.
8:00 am: Security was beefed up in Nairobi and other areas touted to be Azimio strongholds.
Meanwhile, Raila castigated President Ruto's regime for instilling punitive taxes and raising the cost of living - making basic goods unaffordable for Kenyans.
This sets precedence for a looming face-off between the police service and the coalition supporters who are championing a lower cost of living.
Additionally, in what was touted as a mega Maandamano Wednesday, stakeholders from the transport sector had also issued a strike notice in protest of the mandatory re-testing of the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) drivers and conductors.
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, however, swiftly engaged the stakeholders and suspended the mandatory retesting process until September 1, 2023.
