Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had made accusations against President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua of unleashing tear gas against them when they presented their petition.
Sifuna was one of the Azimio MPs who were teargassed when they went to present a petition at the President's Harambee House office on Tuesday.
My 50 colleagues and I have been teargassed outside the Office of the President as we marched peacefully to deliver the People’s Petition. Gachagua told us we know where to find them. We do. We went there and instead met Police. Cowards! pic.twitter.com/tEgnCLMMIX
— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) May 2, 2023
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"My 50 comrades and I have been pepper sprayed outside the President's Office as we proceeded peacefully to deliver the People's Petition," he stated.
According to Sifuna, DP Rigathi Gachagua instructed them where to turn in their petition, and they agreed. Still, rather than meeting with the president, they were turned away.
"Gachagua told us where we could find them. We do. We went there instead and were met by police. Cowards!" Sifuna stated.
Police fired tear gas onto Azimio MPs led by Senate Minority Leader Steward Masdazayo and Sifuna.
Raila Odinga, the head of the Azimio movement, announced on Sunday that he would deliver petitions to four state offices during their Tuesday protests.
The Azimio members also allege that the government is using a media blackout to harass the protesters because there is no live coverage of the demonstrations.
The state in a well orchestrated spate of violence is trying to paint our #MaandamanoTuesday as anything but peaceful. We know these tricks. We urge our supporters not to fall for these shameful tactics meant to incite Nairobians against each other and maintain peace.
— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) May 2, 2023
