Police have unleashed tear gas on activists led by former Chief Justice Willy Mutrunga and Boniface Mwangi, who had gone to the Central police station demanding the release of people arrested during Friday’s anti-government protests.
Speaking in a tweet after confronting the police, activist Mwangi noted, “Police are cowards, why are they teargassing us yet we have not committed any crime.”
Police have decided to teargas their work place, and beat some of us. This criminal act was ordered by OCS Central Police Station, Moses Mutayi. Our “Christian” government is doing the devil’s work. Happy Sabbath @WilliamsRuto and @rigathi. Continue undermining the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/57IrMnqnsl
— The People’s Watchman (@bonifacemwangi) July 8, 2023
Seventy-five individuals have reportedly remained detained at the station since Friday, when they were arrested during protests organised by Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio, to voice opposition to the high cost of living brought on by the contentious Finance Bill.
“Let us meet in court because we know they have not committed any crime, we will fight all the charges they will bring up,” said Lempaa Suyianka, an advocate with Katiba Institute.
The police have said they want to file charges against the activists detained on Friday for illegal assembly, property destruction, assault, and other offences.
Lempaa claims that several of them were admitted with wounds they received due to police brutality.
The demonstrations, known as "Saba Saba" (Seven Seven), remember the day in 1990 when the opposition stood up to call for the restoration of multi-party democracy.
Along with other cities, similar demonstrations took place in Kisumu, Kitale, Kisii, Mombasa, and Lodwar.
Two persons were shot dead, and several others were hurt in Kisumu during altercations with the police.
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