Raila Issues Fresh Demand to Ruto on Gen Zs’ Protests
In a bold move, Azimio la Umoja coalition leader Raila Odinga has called for an immediate investigation into the destruction and robbery incidents during the protests on Tuesday, July 2.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the former Prime Minister accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to act against those responsible for the mayhem.
Odinga asserted that the government possesses sufficient information about the sponsors of the ongoing demonstrations but has chosen not to take action.
“The protests witnessed on Tuesday, which involved vandalism and robbery, were different from what we saw at the start when Gen Zs were in complete control,” he noted.
Expressing his stance on the chaotic protests, Raila warned those responsible to cease their activities or face severe consequences.
“For thugs to hijack the protests and turn them into mayhem against innocent Kenyans amounts to a double betrayal of the youth. The bad manners have to be stopped,” he declared.
He emphasized that the initial protests led by Gen Z were peaceful, but criminal elements have since taken over, looting businesses, attacking innocent civilians, and destroying infrastructure. “People who are not the Gen Z that started the initial protests hijacked it, looted businesses, attacked innocent Kenyans, and destroyed critical infrastructure,” Raila stated.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader expressed empathy for the families who suffered due to the chaotic demonstrations. He condemned the police brutality witnessed and urged security officers to handle protestors with civility and accountability.
“Innocent people who’ve seen their business premises broken into, their products looted, now face the reality of being worse off than before the protests,” Raila lamented.
Raila’s remarks come in response to the events of Tuesday, which saw widespread vandalism and robbery.
He condemned the actions of criminals posing as protesters, stating, “We condemn the scenes people witnessed on our television and experienced in their neighborhoods across the country, in the hands of criminals posing as protestors.”
His comments came just a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki warned that criminal gangs posing as peaceful protestors would be dealt with firmly.
In a press statement, CS Kindiki assured the public that security agencies are on high alert to prevent any harm to the public and protect critical infrastructure.
Raila’s call for accountability and justice underscores the urgent need for the government to address the escalating violence and ensure the safety and security of all Kenyans.
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Raila Issues Fresh Demand to Ruto on Gen Zs’ Protests
