Azimio La Umoja has announced that former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was arrested in connection with the anti-government protests that paralysed the country on Wednesday, July 12.
Former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa condemned the police for the arbitrary arrest at a press conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation.
“Across the country, families are mourning their loved ones who are victims of the police force. Tens of people have been hospitalised with gunshot wounds and arrows and pangas,” he stated.
“Some of the victims are young school children who were not in the demonstrations. Hundreds have been detained in police cells or have been arraigned in court for participating in protests that are protected by our Constitution.”
The Azimio coalition demanded that the former governor be released immediately and that all charges against him be dropped.
“Among those in police custody is Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and as we speak we have just learnt of the arrest of Oparanya. We demand the immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges against these two for participating in a constitutionally protected action,” Wamalwa stated.Â
The former Defence CS chastised police officers who used excessive force against Kenyans during Wednesday’s mass protests.
“We condemn the senseless brutality and state-sanctioned violence of civilians by police which is becoming the new normal in Kenya. We are deeply concerned about the repeated brutality against innocent Kenyans.”
