Rains, cold, and a heavy police presence greeted the start of Saba Saba protests in Nairobi on Friday morning. There was heavy police presence in most parts of the city.
Police engage youth in running battles along Thika road
Anti-riot police dispersed youth who had blocked a section of Thika Road.
The chaos along Thika road saw the youth light bonfires on the super highway.
The rowdy youth, who came from Mathare, had blocked a section of the Thika Road service lane causing a massive gridlock. Police dispersed the rioting youth and put out the fires in a bid to restore normalcy.
Motorists were also forced to turn back after the youth started attacking them.
Azimio leaders are planning rallies in Nairobi and other select towns in what could be a major showdown between opposition leaders, their supporters and the police.
Part of their protests are also against the recently passed controversial Finance Act 2023 that saw various taxes introduced and others increased.
Police in Nairobi have meanwhile arrested demonstrators in the CBD.
Members of the public are reporting a heavy presence of police within the CBD. However, not all are recognizable as some of them are disguised in plain clothes.
The most common item on most protesters’ agenda seems to be the cost of ‘unga’.
The police have also been forced to lob teargas to disperse #Sabasaba demonstrators along Harambee Avenue, Nairobi.
Police have also lobbed teargas at protesters who had converged around City Hall, Jogoo house, and Parliament Road.
Raila arrives for Sabasaba Kamukunji rally
Azimio leader Raila Odinga made a grand entry into Kamukunji Grounds adorning his Che Guevara jungle apron as the DJ plays Chezidek’s all-time revolutionary hit-single, ‘Fight For Your Rights’.
All eyes will be on the veteran leader to see his next move.
Businesses closed in Kisumu ahead of the demonstrations
Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Kisumu CBD as most businesses remain closed ahead of planned protests. A number of youths had converged in Kondele early morning ready for #SabaSaba demonstrations.
The usually busy United Mall in Kisumu remained deserted for the better part of Friday as businesses were shut following the planned #Sabasaba protests.
The running battles in Kisumu later on spilled from Kondele into the CBD.
Police disperse protesters in Mombasa
Police in Mombasa were forced to lob teargas so as to disperse demonstrators who had converged along Moi Avenue Road, Mombasa for #SabaSaba protests after their meeting was outlawed.
Innocent bystanders and drivers were also caught in the ensuing melee.
The coastal city has seen running battles between police and protesters since morning with no sign of let-up.
Sabasaba protests in Kisii
In Kisii, protesters lit bonfires hence rendering the Kisii-Kilgoris highway impassable.
Politicians condemn the violence
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, a staunch defender of Kenya Kwanza government, has called for the arrest of the Sabasaba organizers.
Nairobi and Azimio politician Alinur Mohamed has also come out to condemn the violence along Thika road. The politician also insists that there are proxies out to cause chaos and put the blame on the Azimio coalition.
