Azimio la Umoja coalition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, March 21, declared that the anti-government protests that began on Monday will continue every Monday and Thursday from next week.
Addressing the media on Tuesday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Nairobi, Raila noted that the demonstrations would continue until their demands were met.
“In response to public demand, we shall now hold protests every Thursday and Monday beginning next week,” he announced.
Raila described the protests held yesterday in Nairobi and other parts across the country as “immensely successful” even as he blamed police for the chaotic and violent scenes witnessed.
The Opposition leader also ordered his supporters to boycott several brands including a media house, a bank and a telco.
He criticised President William Ruto for what he termed a dictatorial style of leadership for the six months he has been in office.
“Ruto’s greatest aspiration is to return Kenya to the old dictatorship where he is the unquestioned tyrant controlling everyone’s life. We have come to the conclusion that our police shall never change unless we make them change,” he noted.
“We reiterate to our supporters and all patriotic Kenyans that this struggle is just starting. We are not looking and we will not be intimidated. No retreat, no surrender,” he added.
The former premier also chastised Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei for issuing orders to police officers against his supporters during the March 20 protests.
“That brutality witnessed yesterday does not belong to this country. It is more disgusting because the citizens were acting within the provisions of the Constitution. We had given notice of the intention to march in Nairobi,” he pointed out.
Raila also said that two people lost their lives during the protests, further assuring support including seeking legal justice for the families of the deceased.
He also claimed that there was an attempt on his life and that of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka by police who allegedly shot at their vehicles.
“There was an attempt on the lives of both Kalonzo and me, our cars were shot at but luckily we were unharmed. We are shocked that police would assemble so much personnel and equipment to confront peaceful protesters,” he reiterated.
