Azimion la Umoja Kenya supporters flooded the streets in a number of Kenyan towns on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in the latest wave of anti-government protests over the law that was passed.
Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimion la Umoja who has led protests since he lost last year’s election to President William Samoei Ruto, repeatedly accused the government of breaching democracy and neglecting to assist households in dealing with the rise in prices partly prompted by Russia’s complete invasion of Ukraine last year.
The opposition, supported by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has put on a protest against what the party calls “punitive tax measures” passed into law by President Ruto a month ago.
Azimio la Umoja asked the court to stop the act, saying it was passed fast in Parliament without public participation.
According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, more than a dozen people have been killed in protests that erupted this month, and police were accused of using “excessive force” in response to the demonstrators.
Businesses have been affected, with the majority of banks and other commercial premises remaining closed in key towns across the country.
The affected cities include; the country’s Capital City of Nairobi, the Port of Mombasa on the coast, and Kisumu, which is considered to be one of Odinga’s strongholds.
Thursday and Friday will also see protests from the opposition, Azimio said.
Although the government and the police had reassured the people that there would be no loss of life or destruction of property, majority of people stayed far away from the towns out of fear that violence would take place out there.
Shoppers were seen making purchases at the few supermarkets and shops that were open despite a large number of police officers and personnel from the National Youth Service. As a result, sales were slow at the few supermarkets and businesses that were open.
