Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga says former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has been arrested for leading anti-government demonstrations on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
Addressing members of the press at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation offices in Nairobi on Thursday, Raila said Oparanya is among hundreds of Kenyans being held for taking part in the protests aimed at forcing the Kenya Kwanza administration to among others, lower the cost of living and repeal the Finance Act 2023.
Also arrested earlier today is Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau.
Raila demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all the Azimio supporters in police custody even as he alleged plans to arrest other Azimio leaders including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa among others.
“We demand immediate and unconditional dropping of all charges against Hon. Oparanya, Hon. Makau and all those who were arrested for participating in a constitutionally protected action of protesting against punitive policies,” Raila said.
He further condemned what he termed as senseless brutality and murder of civilians by police during the protests.
“We are deeply concerned at the repeated instances of police brutality against innocent and law-abiding civilians. Yesterday, this brutality gained a higher notoriety,” he added.
“Police not only fired bullets at citizens who were gathering for a rally in Kamkunji, far from the Central Business District. They also fired teargas into a primary school in Kawangware, exposing to mortal danger innocent children who had absolutely no idea what was going on around them.”
He claimed that a special squad had been activated to brutalize Kenyans taking part in the anti-government protests.
“This squad is taking instructions from an equally ethnic-based command structure that operates outside the official channels of the Police Service,” he claimed adding that the opposition won’t be cowed into dropping their demands.
At the same time, Raila announced five days of mourning and standing in solidarity with families of those killed in the protests.
“We have made a decision to observe five days of mourning and solidarity with the victims and their families during which we will try our level best to mobilize support to help lessen the burden on the families of victims,” he added.
“But we are not giving up in our quest to force Mr. William Ruto to lower the cost of living, respect the views of Kenyans, reconstitute the IEBC in a bipartisan manner and respect political parties.”
He said the next round of protests will be on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
