- Many parts of the country were Wednesday reduced to a theatre of violent exchanges as chaos rocked Azimio’s countrywide protests, causing deaths and bringing businesses to a standstill.
- Cases of deaths, serious injuries, massive destruction of property and arrests marred the day as the opposition intensified its anti-government pushback.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGA
Death, chaos and destruction of property marked the Wednesday opposition protests with the economy coming to a standstill as the wave of anti-government demos spread across the country.
At least six people were reportedly shot dead and several were seriously injured as the mass action got intense.
In Nairobi's Kangemi estate, more than 50 pupils from Kihumbuni Primary School were rushed to hospital after police lobbed tear gas canisters in their classroom.
For the first time, there were demonstrations in at least 20 counties with the economy taking a heavy beating.
In Nairobi, the city was deserted with almost 70 per cent of businesses closed.
Matters were made worse by striking matatu drivers who took their vehicles off the roads.
Three people were reportedly shot dead in Kitengela, two at Mlolongo, one in Emali and one in Sondu, and many others were injured across the country in protests that threatened to push the country to the brink.
Learning, transport and businesses were paralysed as schools were closed, roads blocked with bonfires and business premises shut.
In some areas, businesspeople counted losses as their premises were broken into and looted.
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance estimated that Kenya lost Sh3 billion as a result.
Nairobi, Mombasa, Machakos, Makueni, Kisii, Nyamira, Nakuru, Kisumu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Meru, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay and Trans Nzoia are among the counties where demos were staged.
As the protests intensified, some individuals resorted to the destructive act of setting cars ablaze, causing widespread damage and adding to the disorder.
Nairobi expressway was vandalised at Mlolongo in Machakos.
At least two police vehicles were torched in Machakos and Makueni counties.
As the paralysis hit the country, opposition chief Raila Odinga maintained they will sustain the protests until President William Ruto acts on their grievances.
“This time around, there is no moving on until Ruto shows a readiness to listen to and respect the people. People deserve a deal, not bullets and tear gas,” Raila said at the height of the protests.
“There is no moving on until Ruto comes out loud and clear on the need to have a bipartisan reconstitution of IEBC, until he commits to respect and stop interfering with other political parties,” he added, hinting at more demos in the coming days.
In Emali, Makeuni county, which witnessed one of the ugliest scenes, one person was shot dead and a police vehicle was torched.
The middle-aged man reportedly died on the spot after a bullet said to have been discharged by one of the police officers who were dispersing demonstrators in the town hit him.
The demonstrators who engaged police in running battles torched vehicles, including a police Land Cruiser.
The building hosting Equity Bank, Emali branch had its windows smashed as police battled protesters.
In the neighbouring Machakos county, at Mlolongo, demonstrators pulled down the Nairobi Expressway guard rail, blocked the highway and set tyres on fire.
In Kitengela, where three people were reportedly killed, the protesters invaded a police station and vandalised and torched the assistant county commissioner’s office.
In Mlolongo, two people were killed in the chaotic and violent exchanges that saw the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway blocked.
The protesters set fire to the road, moments after pulling down the expressway wall.
They stoned and broke into Quickmart supermarket.
In Nairobi, learning was disrupted in many schools as the students either found themselves in the melee or institutions were closed for fear of attack.
More than 50 pupils from Kihumbuni Primary School in Kangemi were rushed to Eagles Nursing Home after the police fired tear gas canisters in their classroom in Kangemi.
The majority of them allegedly suffocated after they were overwhelmed by the tear gas fumes but no casualties had been reported by press time.
“Yes there were over 50, some were unstable as a result of lack of oxygen but we have managed to control the situation. Majority of them are now stable, but we are still monitoring some who still need our attention,” said Eagle Nursing Home owner Aron Shikuku.
Kamukunji grounds, where Raila was set to stage a rally, was reduced to a theatre of war between the police and opposition supporters.
The officers lobbed tear gas canisters to disperse youth who had converged in the area for demonstrations against President William Ruto's administration.
Hundreds of youth were waiting for Azimio leaders to lead them in the protests.
However, Raila cancelled the rally, alleging a plot by some government machinery to instigate chaos.
“Late last night, we received intelligence of a most heinous plan by Kenya Kwanza to ferry armed goons who would attack peaceful attendees of our rally in Kamikunji. These goons had express orders to shoot directly into the crowd while enjoying police protection,” Raila said.
Several roads were also blocked in the capital, among them Mombasa, Outering, Juja and Jogoo.
In the CBD, many shops were closed as people deserted the city centre. Only police officers were seen manning the streets.
In Nakuru, shops were closed as demos rocks parts of Nakuru West and Nakuru East. The protesters blocked roads and lit bonfires.
This was also the case in Mombasa where opposition leaders and activists who had hit the streets were teargassed.
“We shall continue to fight for the rights of Kenyans because the 'Kenya Kwisha' government has failed to give Kenyans the good life they had promised them during campaigns,” Senator Mohamed Faki said.
In Kisii, schools were closed and businesses shut for the better part of Wednesday following violent anti-government demos.
There was intense action from protesters in downtown Kisii for hours in the morning before they were dispersed.
Anti-riot police officers engaged the protesters from street to street.
At least one person was reportedly rushed to hospital with an arrow stuck in the thigh.
There was no immediate official confirmation.
In Meru, Former Agriculture CS Peter Munya was forced to flee after police lobbed tear gas canisters near his car as he was about to address a crowd at Muthara.
Munya had engaged police in running battles from Meru town, North Imenti constituency, which is about 30 kilometres away.
Munya was to address a presser at Three Steers Hotel but he changed the venue to Gatimeme Hotel.
The former CS was accompanied by Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and embattled Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni
In Nyamira, business came to a standstill as protesters engaged the police in running battles.
Roads leading to the central business district were barricaded from early morning.
Police officers used tear gas to disperse the protesters who burnt tyres and barricaded roads in and out of Nyamira town.
Azimio la Umoja MCAs led by Duke Masira of Township and Vincent Benecha of Kiabonyoru led the demos, saying life has become unbearable for Kenyans and something must be done to bring down the skyrocketing cost of living.
“We cannot assume everything is fine whereas Kenyans are suffering with a hard life. Let us all rise up and fight for Kenyans,” Masira said.
In Garissa, PSV operators withdrew their vehicles from the roads as they protested against high fuel prices while others were afraid that their vehicles would be destroyed during the protests.