Lobbying teargas at Hon Tim Wanyonyi an act of a cowardice government insensitive of the plight of its citizens.
The second Kamukunji and national protest was held today amidst mixed reactions. Kenyans heeded the call by Azimio leadership led by Rt Hon Raila Amollo Odinga.
While deviating from last Friday saba saba demos where the epicenter was Kamukunji, Azimio leadership once again devolved the demos and the response was quite encoùraging.
Westlands MP Hon Tim Wanyonyi who has his eyes set on Nairobi governorship in 2027 was called to duty and he never disappointed.
At exactly 10:45 Am Hon Wanyonyi arrived at Kangemi where he gave a brief spèech before urging his loyal supporters to excercise their right to a peaceful demo.
“We have gathered here as citizens of Kenya protected by our katiba to peacefully assemble and demonstrate on what we feel is not going right. As your area MP, I want all of us to demonstrate peacefully and avoid all acts of lawlessness. Kenyans have spoken loudly against draconian laws and the finance bill that has made cost of living unbearable. It is at this juncture that as your MP I beseech you to go forth and voice your concerns peacefully ” said Hon Wanyonyi.
No sooner had he finished his speech that a police officer lobbed a teargas to the harmless lawmaker who was neither carrying stones or weapons. Never mind the MP is on a wheelchair thanks to an earlier incident that rendered him immobile.
A teargas aimed at Westlands MP strays to a nearby school leaving one dead and three in critical conditions as several escape with bullet wounds.
The ugly scenes witnessed at Kangemi and especially the terror visited on Hon Tim Wanyonyi the area MP later caused the closure of Nairobi -Nakuru highway for the better part of the day.
Several agitated youths demanded to know what crime their MP had done to demand such treatment from the law enforcement agencies.
“We just want to know what Hon Tim did to warrant such treatment. Is picketing not provided for in our laws? Demanded a voter.
Westlands residents engaged the police in running battles for the better part of the day.
Hon Tim Wanyonyi who has thrown his hat in the ring for Nairobi governorship in 2027 has been growing in popularity thanks to his philanthropic escapedes across the county that has seen over 20 000 students ģo through education.
Tim is expected to face off with incumbent Gov Sakaja in 2027. Both trace their routes in western Kenya but Tim is more senior than Sakaja thanks to his many years in politics and his law background.
Wanyonyi comes from the populous Bukusu nation but thanks to his service to Nairobians for 3 terms MP has found favor across all tribes while Sakaja is a Sabaot uncled in Luhya land.
Raila calls off demos
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has suspended the planned anti-government rally which was scheduled to take place at the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi.
Addressing the media on Wednesday afternoon, Odinga said the move was a ‘strategic decision’ made after receiving intelligence of a plan to violently attack attendees of the Kamukunji rally.
“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 Kamkunji. These goons had express orders to shoot directly into the crowd while enjoying police protection,” Odinga stated in a press briefing at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation.
Azimio boss further claimed that a team of “hired goons” had raided the grounds and vandalized the equipment being used to hoist the dais and also dispersed peaceful Kenyans.
“In line with the intelligence we received, armed goons have this afternoon descended on Kamukunji grounds and shot indiscriminately in the crowd. Police have used water cannons to disperse those who had peacefully gathered there,” he said.
“In order to protect our people and avert more injuries and the loss of life, we have taken the strategic decision not to proceed with the rally at Kamukunji grounds this afternoon. In any case, the people have made the point.”
Odinga went on to assert that they will not relent in their fight against the government, calling on President William Ruto to give an ear to their demands lest the protests remain active.
“We thank Kenyans for taking up our call to fight for ourselves. This struggle is not about Azimio or any other party in particular. It is now about Kenyans refusing to move on until they get a good deal,” he said.
“This time around there is no moving on until Ruto shows a readiness to listen and respect the people. People deserve a deal and not bullets or teargas.”
Most businesses were shut down across the nation for the better part of the day as protesters engaged in running battles with anti-riot police officers.
Police officers were forced to lob teargas canisters at protesters in a bid to disperse the rowdy crowds
