REPORT

Violence in Kenya: new day of opposition mobilization

Audio 01:28

Riot police fire tear gas to disperse supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga as they protest against the cost of living, in Nairobi on March 27, 2023. REUTERS - JOHN MUCHUCHA

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

The standoff between President Ruto and opponent Raila Odinga in Kenya continues. The police again used water cannons and tear gas against the procession of the opponent who defied, Sunday, March 26, the power by maintaining his rally against the cost of living declared "illegal" by the authorities. According to AFP, a "young man" died "shot dead" in Kisumu in the west of the country, stronghold of Raila Odinga. In the capital, Nairobi, a large security apparatus, denser than last week, was deployed in the city on Monday.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Florence Morice

Thick white smoke rises above the Kawangware district. Police continue firing tear gas at Raila Odinga's convoy.

The opponent thwarted the impressive deployment of security forces to sneak in and address his supporters: "We demand a reduction in the cost of living, a reduction in the price of maize flour, a reduction in the price of gasoline, a reduction in the price of sugar and lower school fees."

This time, the anger of the demonstrators did not reach downtown Nairobi, but since Monday morning, in the strongholds of Raila Odinga, police and young people have clashed with stones and burned tires against tear gas and water cannons to prevent them from advancing.

Elvis Otepa was among them: "Mr. William Ruto promised us free education, but I cannot pay for my studies today, more than 200 dollars. You can't afford transportation. We can't afford most of the things we need. That is why we are on the streets and we are not thugs. We do this to defend our human rights and for our children.

Others like Reheme Magheni worry about the repercussions of these repeated protests on daily life and the economy: "Neither Ruto nor Odinga... None are going to give us corn. So people better sit down, work and stop this whole mess.

Many businesses remained closed on Monday. Rail links between the outskirts of the capital and the business centre have also been suspended.

Finally, it should be noted that a property in Uhuru Kenyatta, in Ruiru, was invaded on Monday by unknown persons who cut down trees and stole livestock. Uhuru Kenyatta, the former president, had supported Raila Odinga in the presidential election.

In addition, several journalists were "attacked by gangs" and "some media vehicles hit by tear gas", denounces the Media Council of Kenya, a journalists' union. These attacks "cannot be tolerated" and "threaten democracy", says the union.

Meanwhile, President William Ruto is on a state visit to Berlin where he met with the president and businessmen on Monday to encourage them to invest in Kenya.

READ ALSO: Kenya: opposition wants to continue anti-inflation protests despite ban

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Read on on the same topics:

• Kenya
• William Ruto
• Economy
• Economic crisis