Day 2: Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, July 20, asked his supporters to turn up in large numbers and carry on with the second day of anti-government protests.
In a statement that was sent to newsrooms, Raila stated that the ongoing protests would continue until the current regime meets their demands.
Azimio has blamed President Ruto for implementing policies that have escalated the cost of living. The opposition also wants to be involved in the reconstitution of the electoral commission IEBC.
Keep it here as Kenyans.co.ke keeps you updated as everything unfolds. Refresh this page for updates.
5:10 pm: Anti-riot police officers forcefully eject Embakasi East MP Babu Owino's supporters from Milimani Law Courts. The rowdy supporters demanded the release of the Member of Parliament after being charged on two counts.
4:00 pm: Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has been charged at Milimani Law Court with taking part in unlawful assembly and subversion.
Babu was accused of contravening the Public Order Act (Cap. 56) and the Penal Code (Cap. 63), which defines an unlawful assembly as any assembly of three or more persons who, with intent to carry out any common purpose, tumultuously assemble together in such a manner as to cause fear or alarm to the public or to any person in the neighbourhood.
An unlawful assembly can be prevented by the police if they have reasonable grounds to believe that it will lead to a breach of the peace. The police may also disperse an unlawful assembly by using force if necessary.
Anyone who takes part in an unlawful assembly is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of up to KSh100,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or to both.
The Penal Code defines subversion as the act of inciting, attempting to incite, or conspiring to incite a person to violence against the person or property of the President, the Government of Kenya, or a public officer.
3:40 pm: Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino and ex-Mungiki leader Maina Njenga have been taken to court after their Lawyers protested unlawful detention.
The two are being held at Milimani Law Courts cells, Nairobi, pending their arraignment in court. Babu was seen in a video waving to Journalists who are covering the matter.
However, Babu did not explain why he was arrested by the police officers.
3:25 pm: Protesters engage anti-riot squads in running battles in Kibera where the demonstrators are burning tyres and throwing stones. The police are responding to the demonstrations with a heavy hand, including tear gas canisters and buttons.
The demonstrators are protesting against the high cost of living and the contentious Finance Act 2023. The protests in Kibera are the latest in a series of demonstrations that have taken place across the country.
While speaking in Isiolo, President William Ruto lauded the effort of the police officers and stated that the government is committed to protecting the right to freedom of assembly, but it has also warned that it will not tolerate violence.
2:30 pm: Amnesty International has stated that at least 30 people have been killed in anti-government protests in Kenya since March 2023.
The deaths have been attributed to injuries sustained from gunshots by security forces. The protests began in March in response to poor living conditions and government corruption.
They have since spread to cities across Kenya, with protesters calling for the lowering of the cost of living and amendment to the Finance Act 2023.
On Wednesday, July 19, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua dismissed the concerns of the international community and asked them not to interfere with Kenya's internal matters.
2:10 pm: Azimio la Umoja has promised to unmask the police officers who allegedly killed or maimed protesters during Wednesday, July 19, anti-government demonstrations.
While addressing the media at the precincts of the National Assembly, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi claimed that they have sufficient evidence to identify and prosecute the officers who committed heinous acts during the demonstrations.
The coalition also revealed plans to push the matter to the International Criminal Court (ICC) where suspected murderous officers would be tried and jailed for wanton killings.
"We are now calling on the international community, and the International Criminal Court to take a keen interest in the Kenyan situation," Wandayi stated.
1:40 pm: Nairobi Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina is set to sentence eight protesters who pleaded guilty to the charge of taking part in an unlawful protest in Embakasi South.
The protesters asked the court to be lenient on them since they were only expressing their hunger when they barricaded roads and blocked Kenyans from using public facilities.
However, one accused person denied the criminal charge, to which Chief Magistrate Onyina asked the police to bring him to court tomorrow for further directions.
Onyina also asked the police to prepare probation reports which he will consider before issuing his judgment.
1:20 pm: Azimio la Umoja coalition has called on their supporters to converge at Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) for the second day of anti-government mass actions.
The coalition stated that they will gather at the CBD despite President William Ruto warning that no such meetings will take place.
"We have a date with Kenyans in Nairobi's CBD this afternoon. Bring your pots and pans as we ready to sound off for the whole world," a statement by Azimio la Umoja read in parts.
The protests began on Wednesday, July 19, and have been met with a heavy police presence. The police have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters, and there have been reports of at least four deaths and many injuries.
Azimio la Umoja has accused the government of using excessive force against the protesters, and called for an independent investigation into the matter.
1:00 pm: Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei is meeting the security team deployed to guard Jacaranda grounds from Azimio la Umoja protesters who had threatened to use the field for their demonstrations.
Bungei asked the officers to firmly deal with anyone who will try to use the field for any activity, reiterating that no notification had been issued to the National Police Service (NPS).
He also urged those intending to protest to follow the guidelines outlined in the Constitution.
12:45 pm: Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo writes to Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), asking for an investigation into the killing of Peter Ngolanye, who was shot dead during yesterday’s anti-government protests in Wote.
12:30 pm: Kisumu protesters engage the County Commissioner, Alison Hussein in arguments after he pleaded with them to abandon protests and go home.
The protesters talked down the County Commission who eventually left the scene of the demonstration after failing to convince the young men.
"Tuko njaa sana, wewe unakula mshahara sisi hatuna kitu. Eenda, endaa, endaa," the protesters shouted as Husein drover away.
12:15 pm: Kiboro Primary School in Nairobi's Mathare slum sent home pupils who had reported back to school today, July 20, 2023, over security fears.
The school had reopened after being closed for one day due to a spate of insecurity incidents in the area as a result of ongoing anti-government protests.
12:00 pm: Azimio la Umoja co-principal and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua has accused President William Ruto of dividing the nation into two by according his supporters a chance to picket and unleashing violence on his rivals.
Kurua was making reference to counter-demonstrations that were stagged by Kenya Kwanza supporters in various parts of the country.
"Clearly Ruto's regime has split Kenya into two - a shareholders kenya where United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party supporters can stage counter-demonstrations escorted by police and a republic under siege where police unleash death and mayhem against peaceful demonstrators in flagrant violation of the constitution," Karua claimed.
11:30 am: A video has emerged showing a contingent of police officers escorting Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino out of Wanguru Police Station where he was being held since Wednesday, July 18.
Babu was taken out of the station barely minutes after the police officers forcefully kicked out his wife, friends and relatives who had visited the station to demand his release.
"I've been able to see Babu Owino. The police have been very cooperative and have shown a great level of professionalism," Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru confirmed.
11:20 am: Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga's Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru claims that his client is being held together with Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino at Wang'uru Police Station.
10:55 am: Death toll in Kisumu anti-government demonstrations rises to two after one more victim succumbs to injuries at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). The hospital revealed that four more victims were admitted.
10:50 am: The Azimio la Umoja Coalition files a petition with the High Court seeking the release of their nine leaders and their associates following what they termed as unconstitutional kidnapping and detention by the State.
The petition was filed by lawyer Danstan Omari stating that the nine missing people were last seen with police officers, some of whom were not only dressed in their official clothes but also drove GK cars.
"Unless this honorable court certifies this matter as urgent and orders the production of the Applicants before this court, the rights of the Applicants which include the right to peacefully demonstrate, to freedom of movement and to associate freely with others to exercise their political rights will continue to be violated," read the court file.
10:30 am: There is a heavy police presence at Siaya Law Court where Siaya Township Member of County Assembly, James Obiero Otare is set to be arraigned. Otare was arrested last night after being linked to violent protests in the county.
10:20 am: Police officers eject relatives and friends of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino who had visted Wanguru Police Station to demand his release from custody.
10:15 am: Relatives and friends of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have arrived at Wang'uru Police Station in Kirinyaga County to demand his immediate release.
Babu's wife, Fridah Ongili, is also at the police station and spoke to the protesters. She has expressed confidence that her husband would be released soon.
"We are here to demand the immediate release of Babu Owino. He is innocent of the charges against him and he has been mistreated by the police," Fridah stated.
9:55 am: There is a semblance of normality in Kisii as anti-riot police officers stand guard around the town. A large contingent of officers deployed at most strategic locations within the town, including the Daraja Mbili area which previously experienced intense confrontations between law enforcers and protesters.
9:30 am: Anti-government protesters spotted within Kisumu City's Central Business District, but they were quickly dispersed by anti-riot police officers.
A number of schools in Kisumu remain closed in anticipation of another round of protests in the Lake-side city.
9:20 am: A few protesters troop to the streets of Homa Bay town to begin the second day of anti-government protests.
The protesters burnt tyres as they chanted anti-government slogans within Homa Bay town centre.
9:10 am: Vehicle traffic on major roads in Nairobi was low as the Azimio la Umoja protests entered their second day.
Police deployed heavily in the city center and other areas where protests are expected, but so far, there are no reports of clashes between protesters and police.
Waiyaki Way: Traffic towards Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) is moving at a relatively slow pace but there is no interruption. Along the way, heavy police presence is sighted at strategic points along the highway.
Mombasa Road: There is little activity on both Mombasa Road and Nairobi Expressway as motorists take advantage of the light traffic to rush to their destinations.
However, there is no anti-riot police presence on the highway, except, for the traffic police officers who are controlling the movement of vehicles.
Jogoo Road: Traffic is flowing smoothly with very few businesses opening along the usually busy road. Traffic police officers have relatively few engagements as motorists engage high gears.
9:00 am: Traffic on major roads in the city is smooth with police deployed on all the entries into the city.
8:30 am: Most parents in Nairobi have kept their children out of school despite a government directive to reopen all learning institutions.
8:20 am: Ex-Mungiki leader has been arrested in a night raid according to his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru.
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