Saba Saba Rally, Raila Set To Lead Anti-Government Protests

A Clash is expected between police and members of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya party, who are planning anti-government protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country.

Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio opposition coalition in Nairobi, has promised to lead a large protest at the Kamukunji Grounds to commemorate the country's "Third Liberation" on Saba Saba Day.

Odinga pledged at Kamukunji grounds to launch a campaign of "defiance and civil disobedience" against the current government of President William Ruto, which he accuses of being punitive on the people.

The Azimio alliance announced last week that it will start collecting signatures today to "signal the withdrawal of their sovereignty from officials of this illegitimate regime, including Mr William Ruto and all elected leaders who supported the Finance Bill 2023."

The Azimio leaders and their supporters plan to march from Kamukunji grounds to the Nairobi CBD, which police have advised against.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei stated on Thursday that no gatherings would be permitted beyond the Kamukunji grounds.

The former prime minister has asked Kenyans to join him in his fight against what he calls 'dictatorship' and to oppose newly imposed levies that he claims have made Kenyans' life intolerable.

The Azimio leader said that kenyans are clearly dealing with a dictator who has no regard for wananchi, adding that President Ruto has turned into a heartless tyrant.

He added that kenyans are not given to suffer in silence as a people and do not kneel before dictators and beg for their mercy, Even those who do face shame and even death. 

The situation around thika road seems to worsen after vehicles were pelleted with stones and some road sections was blocked with burning tyres.