As the bi-weekly demonstrations spearheaded by Azimio Leader Raila Odinga to champion the government resume on Tuesday May 2, Azimio party leaders have come out in force to lead demos in their respective locations.
Edwin Sifuna, Nairobi County Senator, and other Members of Parliament including Stewart Madzayo, Kilifi Senator, Enoch Wambua, Kitui Senator, Robert Mbui, Kathiani MP, Rosa Buyu, Kisumu Woman Representative, TJ Kajwang, Ruaraka MP, were teargassed by police officers as they walked to the president’s office to present their petition, where he accused the police of obstructing peaceful demonstrations.
“My 50 colleagues and I have been teargassed outside the Office of the President as we marched peacefully to deliver the People’s Petition. Gachagua told us we know where to find them. We do. We went there and instead met Police. Cowards!” he wrote on twitter.
He went on to condemn the government, claiming that they are using pre-planned violence to demolish peaceful demonstrations, urging individuals not to be discouraged by what he labels “shameful tactics” and to turn up in big numbers.
“The state in a well-orchestrated spate of violence is trying to paint our #MaandamanoTuesday as anything but peaceful. We know these tricks. We urge our supporters not to fall for these shameful tactics meant to incite Nairobian’s against each other and maintain peace,” he added.
The movement aims to persuade the government to lower food commodity prices, open the IEBC servers to acknowledge that the August elections were won in a transparent manner, halt the recruitment of new IEBC officials and engage them in the movement, and reinstate the Cherera 4 officials, among other demands
