Raila Odinga who is yet to concede defeat against President William Samoei Ruto led another gruesome mass protest on March 20, 2023. The retired Prime Minister continues to cause political havoc for among other reasons the high cost of living. The aftermath of Raila mass protest today goes on.
Mr Odinga claims the incumbent government is not only illegitimate but also incompetent on socio-economic issues facing Kenyans.
Raila mass protest today
The capital Nairobi was today, Monday, tense with many businesses and offices closed. Fears of looting and a state of uncertainty caused a daylong standby at the central business district.
With a clique of protestors on the streets, majority of Kenyans followed the rampage through live streams on televisions and leading social media outlets.
Demonstrators could be seen hurling stones at brigades of armed police officers and in exchange suffering clouds of tear gas strikes.
Meanwhile, major roads around key government buildings were blocked with state machinery. Security was even more intense around State House and the residences of top government aides.
In a tweet, Prof Makau Mutua said Raila’s convoy was attacked and the windscreen badly damaged. More fierce scenes were recorded in the Kibera slums.
“We came here peacefully, but they tear-gassed us…They lie to us every day. Where is the cheap maize flour they promised? Where are the jobs for the youth they promised? All they do is hire their friends.”
Charles Oduor, (21 years old) Kibera.
Elsewhere, a fanatical following came out in major towns including Kisumu and Kakamega.
A similar outcry ran high in South Africa with Jacob Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at the forefront.
Nationwide demonstrations were also ongoing in Tunisia and Senegal mostly because of economic turmoil. In Kenya, at least one person was shot dead.
News about the “Raila mass protest today” is still causing unrest amid a deepening rift with president Ruto. The impact will surely be felt with similar uprisings expected to recur on Mondays.
