By Iptisum Abdalla, Kakamega
A section of Kakamega residents has on March 20 joined demonstrations called by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya party leader Raila Odinga.
Armed with stones, the protestors marched on the roads crying over the high prices of Unga that forces them to survive on little ugali leaving their stomachs rumbling.
Advocating for Ruto’s removal from his presidential seat, the angry mob swarmed on the roads causing traffic jam as they chanted “Ruto must Go!”
This is after Raila had on March 9 declared a nationwide mass action that was set to commence on March 20 across the country to seek for lowering of the cost of living as well as eject President William RUTO.
Mr. Odinga had on 22 January given William Ruto a 14 days ultimatum to lower cost of living warning him of mass action upon failure to do so.
” We complained about Rising costs of basic commodities such as sugar, maize flour, electricity and petrol for far too long. Issues of students dropping out of school due to lack of fees are also painful. Taxes are rising day by day. Subsidies must be restored and taxes must come down within 14 days or else we hold mass action ” said Raila.
The procession that had neared Kakamega county government was cut short by police officers throwing tear gas sending protestors, passers-by and journalists scampering away.
Some police beat up hard core protestors with runguz chasing them away. This resulted into clearing of roads as peace prevailed.
After a few minutes, normalcy was retained with people going about their businesses as it had been in the morning as if nothing happened.
As residents of Nairobi , Kisumu and other parts of the country intensify their protests on roads, police are in efforts of stopping their demonstrations.
Led by Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei, the Kenya Police had on Sunday March 19 declared the protests illegal due to Azimio party’s late notification.
“Any person who will breach the peace or break the law during the procession shall be dealt with according to the law. The public Order Act of 2012 provides that a protest is illegal if it is not within it’s framework,”he warned.
