Schools in Kenya’s three main cities will remain closed Wednesday following planned protests by the Opposition over a high cost of living crisis.
On Tuesday evening, Interior Cabinet Secretary(CS) Kithure Kindiki ordered the closure of schools in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa cities ahead of Wednesday’s anti-government protests by the opposition.
He announced alongside his Education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu.
“The government has received credible security intelligence that criminal elements planning to unleash terror and violence on the public tomorrow (Wednesday) intend to engage in armed skirmishes with security agencies around certain schools within Nairobi and Mombasa,” they said.
A ministry official later said Kisumu schools will also remain closed.
On Wednesday of last week, nine people died in bloody battles throughout several nation regions as protesters summoned by opposition leader Raila Odinga marched in violation of a government prohibition.
Similar protests the week before claimed the lives of six additional people.
More protests against the high cost of living brought on by the president's signature on the Finance Act are being called for by Odinga on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Odinga maintains that President William Ruto's victory in the August 2022 presidential election was "stolen," has organised several protests this year against a government he claims is unconstitutional and accountable for a crisis in the cost of living.’
But President Ruto has told him off, vowing not to succumb to political pressure to share his government with a “loser”.
“I want to tell Raila Odinga that elections ended on August 8 last year. You can’t seek the leadership of our country through bloodshed, deaths, and destruction of property. There is no way you will change Kenya through the route you have taken,” Ruto declared.
