- Similar to the past demos witnessed this year, Raila and other Azimio leaders charged up the public, urging them to turn out in large numbers.
- On Wednesday, some of the cities remained ghost towns as people kept away and chose to stay at home.
Image: ENOS TECHE
As Azimio demos entered day two on Thursday, some Azimio leaders missing in action and running battles have marked Raila Odinga-led anti-government protests the last two days.
The Azimio la Umoja coalition leader had called for three-day protests from Wednesday to Friday.
Similar to the past demos this year, Raila and other Azimio leaders charged up the public, urging them to turn out in large numbers.
On Wednesday, some of the cities remained ghost towns as people kept away and chose to stay at home.
The morning hours revealed that major business premises remained closed as traders chose to stay away to protect their premises.
However, protesters who heeded Raila’s call came out and demonstrated.
Counties such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Migori, Vihiga, Nakuru, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Siaya and Kisii had these protestors out in the streets
On Thursday, it was relatively calm as there were fewer demos witnessed in these counties.
In some towns like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru, there was life once again in their Central Business Districts.
It was visible that commuters had gone back to their daily routines, some business premises were opened and public transport was flowing ( although vehicles were still not the normal number)
There were running battles witnessed between the protesters and the police.
To disperse the crowds police lobbed tear gas while protesters threw stones, burned tyres and blocked roads.
Those caught by police were arrested.
Image: AURA RUTH
Normally in a battled field, there are deaths and injuries. As of Thursday, nine people had died from the demos
Surprisingly, some of the top leaders were missing in action for the past two days.
In Nairobi, Senator Edwin Sifuna was true to his words and joined protestors in Kibra on Tuesday.
Opposition Chief Raila was a no-show, even as he kept updating his social media accounts, saying no retreat no surrender.
He kept updating his supporters on the happenings.
The other leaders kept away as their protesters were engaged in cat-and-mouse games with the police.
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua on Wednesday issued a statement on the happening of the demos.
Last week when she was in Meru leading the demos.
Some of the leaders opted to turn to social media, where they gave updates on events from Maandamano.
It was reported that they kept away for fear of getting arrested.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was arrested on Tuesday evening and arraigned on Thursday.
Also, Raila's spokesperson Dennis Onyango was arrested on Wednesday and released on Thursday.
Raila’s bodyguard Maurice Ogeta was also arrested on Wednesday and is still being detained in an unknown area.
It now emerged that Raila was unwell hence his missing in action, as reported by Nation.
The Azimio leader speaking to Nation on Thursday, said he was nursing flu.
"Nilipata homa mbaya sana... Lakini sasa nazidi kupata afueni. Nitakuwa sawa sawa," he said in a phone interview.
Raila said he was staying in connection with the other leaders as they led demos in their respective regions.
He noted that the demos were organised to benefit Kenyans, adding that the Azimio co-principals did not need to be present for them.
"Niko, Baba niko. Tena nashiriki pamoja na wenzangu kwa hii maandamano. Maandamano sio ya Baba au ya Mama (Narc leader Martha Karua) au ya Kalonzo (Wiper leader)," he said.
"Maandamano ni ya Wakenya wote. Timu yote ya Azimio iko sawa kabisa. Wanaongoza maandamano katika eneo tofauti. Sio lazima waonekane wao wenyewe kwenye bara bara."
The Opposition chief said Friday protests will be a grand finale.