Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Azimio leader Raila Odinga, speaking on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, urged the government to take decisive action against those funding individuals responsible for looting businesses amid ongoing protests in Nairobi and across the nation.
In a press release, Raila Odinga asserted that the government possesses information regarding the individuals behind the financing of violent protests within the country.
“The scenes of people looting, vandalizing and robbing were way different from what was witnessed at the start of the protests when the Gen Z were in complete control of the process and its programs,” stated Raila Odinga.
Raila further commented that individuals unrelated to the initial Gen Z protesters had hijacked the demonstrations, engaging in looting, attacking innocent Kenyans, and causing damage to essential infrastructure.
“What started as an expression of disaffection with the government by young Kenyans through peaceful protests and presentation of petitions to authorities degenerated into chaos and mayhem yesterday,” he added.
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Additionally, Raila, leader of Azimio, highlighted reports of innocent women being harassed and subjected to violence, including incidents of rape, in various regions of the country.
He also strongly criticized instances of police brutality against peaceful demonstrators, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to uphold civility and accountability in managing protests.
“I extend deep sympathy to the families who’ve suffered in the hands of looters posing as Gen Z protestors, innocent people who’ve seen their business premises broken into, their products looted and who now face the reality of being worse off than before the protests,” Raila Odinga stated.
According to Raila Odinga, the youth who initiated the protests aimed to address injustices in the country and educate Kenyans on the possibility of peaceful and constructive protests achieving their intended objectives.
