The anti-government protests on Tuesday engulfed some major towns in Homa Bay as MPs led by Azimio La Umoja supporters took to the streets.
Protests were witnessed in Oyugis town, Kendu Bay town, Olare and Homa Bay town as hundreds of residents turned up to show solidarity with Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
MPs MP Ong'ondo Were (Kasipul), Lilian Gogo (Rangwe) and Joyce Osogo (Homa Bay woman representative) led the constituents in the demonstrations in Oyugis, Olare and Kendu Bay respectively.
Constituency ODM chairpersons Caroline Owidhi (Rangwe) and Evans Ndege (Kasipul) also participated in the protests.
MP Were said the protests were an indication that they are not happy with the high cost of living being experienced in the country under President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza government.
“You can’t deafen your ears for citizens and claim to continue leading them. Kenyans want the high cost of living lowered urgently,” Were said.
The Kasipul MP threatened to sue Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki over what he termed as police harassment and brutality meted on peaceful protesting Kenyans.
“We’re telling CS Kindiki to be cautious by ensuring he protects Kenyans who have a right to picket and demonstrate. You’ll be held accountable if peaceful protesters are injured,” he added.
Were accused Kindiki of ordering police to use force on Azimio supporters who are expressing their constitutional rights.
"I tell Kindiki that it is wrong to shoot anybody who is exercising their democratic right through peaceful demonstrations," Were said.
Gogo asked residents to always get ready in joining demos when they are called to show President Ruto that they are unpleased with his leadership.
Rangwe MP told Kenya Kwanza administration to give Kenyans an opportunity to critique its performance.
“Kenya Kwanza government has resorted to increasing taxes after realizing it can’t implement its election pledges. We’ll criticize it in a manner we feel like," Gogo said.
Rangwe MP urged her constituents to sign for Azimio Citizen Imitative to topple the Kenya Kwanza government.
She argued that the high number of people who turn up for demonstrations is an indication that many Kenyans have lost hope in President Ruto’s government.
“Ensure you append your signatures to remove this regime from power. The high cost of living must be reduced to support the majority of Kenyan livelihoods,” she said.
Speaking during the demonstrations at God Bondo trading centre in her constituency, Gogo expressed concerns that life had become unbearable for many Kenyans due to taxations imposed on them by the government.
"Many Kenyans cannot put life on the table because of taxation by the government," Gogo said.
Osogo told President Ruto to listen to Kenyans' grievances on the high cost of living.
She put up an empty sufuria on the head and carried a dry cooking stick to indicate that many Kenyans do not have food to put on the table due to the high cost of living.
"Let President Ruto develop listening skills so that he can pay attention to eradicate the tribulations most Kenyans are undergoing. We’ll not relent until you understand the plight of Kenyans," Osogo said.
Owidhi said ODM supporters will never fail from heeding the calls of Raila for Kenyans to engage in such protests.
She argued that many Kenyans know that Raila is fighting for their interests.
“Let Ruto avoid subjecting Kenyans to unnecessary taxes that make life unbearable. You can’t develop the country by taxing Kenyans heavily,” Owidhi said.
Ndege said there is a need for the Kenya Kwanza regime to listen to the voice of Kenyans.
“This government has fallen short of respect from Kenyans due to the way it underrates its activities,” he said.