Kenyan riot police fired tear gas and water cannons at opposition leader Raila Odinga’s convoy on Friday, as clashes broke out during protests against the punishing cost-of-life crisis.
Fighting erupted between stone-throwing demonstrators and police in parts of the capital Nairobi and at least one other city, in the first major unrest since President William Ruto took office last year, an AFP reporter said.
Police also fired tear gas and water cannons at a motorcade carrying Odinga, who called for a day of action against the Ruto government over “skyrocketing” prices and “stolen” elections last year.
Odinga, who insisted that the demonstration would continue even if he did not get police authorization, was due to hold a press conference at a Nairobi hotel but was forced to leave.
His convoy was then blocked by police from trying to reach the center of the capital, where there was much unrest on Monday.
About two dozen people were also arrested in downtown Nairobi, mainly young people but also two opposition lawmakers, including Senate minority leader Stewart Madzayo, an AFP reporter said.
Vice President Rigathi Gachagua called on organizers to avoid “chaos and mayhem,” saying the protests cost Kenya about two billion shillings ($150 million) in lost business.
“What we are doing is destroying the economy. We have started to show signs of recovery from the economic downturn,” he said during a visit to the port city of Mombasa.
Odinga, who narrowly lost last year’s election to Ruto, urged Kenyans in large numbers to voice their “unhappiness” over the rising cost of basic goods and services.
Since early morning, police have used tear gas against protesters who gathered at a site near government offices in the heart of Nairobi and several other areas of the city.
“We came here in peace but they ripped off the gas,” said 21-year-old Charles Oduor.
“They lie to us every day. Where is the cheap corn flour they promised? Where are the jobs for the youth they promised? All they do is hire their friends.”
Kenya is suffering from spiraling prices for fuel, electricity and staple foods, as well as a slump in the value of the shilling against the US dollar and a record drought that has left millions of people hungry.
‘Life is harder’
Odinga said he had called the demonstration to protest the “extortionate” cost of living but also the “stolen” election last August.
In Nairobi’s largest slum, Kibera, a stronghold of Odinga’s support, people burned tires as police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters.
Protesters and police also clashed in the western Kenyan lakeside city of Kisumu, another Odinga stronghold.
Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said on Sunday that the police received a request to hold two demonstrations only on Saturday and early Sunday, when they normally last three days.
“For public safety, nothing is given,” he said.
Home Affairs Minister Kithure Kindiki warned on Sunday that anyone who causes public disturbance or disturbs the peace will be prosecuted.
‘Fight for our rights’
Many businesses in Nairobi were closed ahead of the demonstration, with some employers telling their employees to work from home.
“We are here trying to fight for our rights. Life is very difficult. If you see, these young men and women, we don’t have jobs, people are losing their jobs. So, that’s why we talk about our rights,” said the craftsman Nairobi shoes Henry Juma, 26 years old.
Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja party, who described Monday as “the day of destiny,” continued to claim that Ruto’s election victory was a fraud and denounced his government as illegitimate.
According to official results, Odinga – who is making his fifth bid for the presidency – lost to Ruto by about 233,000 votes, one of the thinnest margins in Kenya’s history.
The Supreme Court rejected his appeal, saying there was no evidence for Odinga’s accusations.
Ruto has announced that he will not be afraid of demonstrations, saying: “You will not threaten us with ultimatums and chaos and impunity.”
“We will not allow it,” he said, urging Odinga to act in a “legal and constitutional manner.”