Odinga believed that the government had enough intelligence regarding the financiers of the ongoing demonstrations but chose not to take action against them.
Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga has demanded that the government initiate investigations into the chaos that surrounded the Tuesday, July 2 anti-government protests that saw property destroyed and numerous cases of robbery incidents.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 3, the former Prime Minister accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to act on time in dealing with the suspects who wreaked havoc during the Tuesday protests.
Odinga believed that the government had enough intelligence regarding the financiers of the ongoing demonstrations but chose not to take action against them.
He drew a stark difference between the protests witnessed on Tuesday and those that were led by the Gen Zs which began on Tuesday, June 18.
A protester navigates teargas in Nairobi CBD. /AL JAZEERA
“What started as an expression of disaffection with the government by young Kenyans through peaceful protests and the presentation of petitions to authorities degenerated into chaos and mayhem yesterday.
“People who were clearly not the Gen Z that started the initial protests hijacked it, looted businesses, attacked innocent Kenyans and destroyed critical infrastructure. There are reports of innocent destroyed critical women being harassed and raped in some parts of the country,” read the statement in part.
Odinga noted that the onset of the protests two weeks ago had shown the country and the whole world that peaceful protests could be held in Kenya, just like in other jurisdictions.
While expressing his stance regarding the protests, Raila warned the perpetrators who infiltrated the protests that they would face stern consequences if they failed to stop their activities.
“The young people who started the protests were injustices in the country and in the process educated all of us that protests can be peaceful, civil and still achieve the intended goals.Â
“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 continued.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader went ahead to express deep sympathy to the families who suffered at the hands of looters who caused the most havoc in the Tuesday demonstrations.
He also condemned police brutality meted out on peaceful protesters, adding that he would continue demanding civility and accountability from security officers during the protests.
“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,” stated Raila.
“In the same breath, we condemn the scenes people witnessed. We saw on our television and experienced in their neighbourhood across the country, in the hands of criminals posing as protesters.”
On Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki announced that the government will crack down on those who are found to have planned and orchestrated the infiltration of the anti-government protests using criminal gangs who caused havoc on public and private property.
In a statement, Kindiki disclosed that upon completion of the ongoing evidential analysis, the government, in assurance to members of the public, will embark on arresting the planners, executors and financiers of large-scale arson, violent robberies and other felonious crimes.
“The organizers of today’s orgy of violence in parts of Nairobi, Mombasa and several other parts of the Country are reportedly planning to repeat their anarchic chaos and cruel plunder again on Thursday and Sunday this week, and perhaps much more frequently in the future.
“This reign of terror against the people of Kenya and the impunity of dangerous criminal gangs must end at whatever cost. The Government is determined to stop criminals aiming to terrorize the public and harm Kenya, notwithstanding attempts to politicize crime,” he stated.
