Police lob teargas to disperse protesters as Azimio demos kick off in several towns

Police were forced to lob teargas to disperse demonstrators who converged in several towns in the country to participate in the protests called by the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

The protesters, who lit bonfires on the streets, engaged the police in running battles, paralysing transport in various towns in Nyamira, Kisii, Nairobi, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Mombasa among other counties.

Kisii demonstrations today #Maandamano #Maandamanowednesday pic.twitter.com/QC7JI24g64— Somalianbae🇸🇴🇰🇪 (@ZamuhAdan) July 12, 2023

In Nairobi, anti-riot police officers were forced to lob teargas at protesters who had barricaded the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway at Emali Township, paralysing transport on the busy road.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga is expected to lead anti-government protests at the Kamukunji Grounds later in the day.

Preparations are underway at the historic grounds ahead of the demonstrations aimed at protesting against the high cost of living in the country.

The police yesterday vowed to block the rally and other similar events in the country, saying they are illegal.

In a statement Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said that no grouping had alerted the police of any planned protests, hence no demonstrations would be allowed across the country.

"It has come to the attention of the National Police Service through the media, about groups/persons that are planning to hold public demonstrations/protests/gatherings across the country, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023," Koome stated.

"Consequently, and in the interest of national security, the National Police Service wishes to inform the public that in the absence of notifications by planners of any demonstrations as a legal prerequisite to enable Police to provide adequate security to demonstrators and the public, police have no other option but to take necessary measures to disperse all illegal demonstrations."

Further, the IG noted that similar demos had left a trail of destruction and loss of lives in the past and will no longer be entertained.

"While the Constitutional provision under Article 37 guarantees freedom of assembly, picketing, and petitioning, our statistics this year have clearly shown that such demonstrations have not only left behind a trail of massive destruction of property worth millions of Shillings but also led to the death of innocent members of the public and law enforcement officers."

Six people were reportedly killed in the Saba Saba protests held on Friday last week.

The opposition is seeking the repeal of the Finance Act 2023 which introduced additional taxes on Kenyans.

"We are back tomorrow, at Kamkunji in Nairobi and Kamkunjis elsewhere across the country," Azimio announced in a statement ahead of the rallies.