Edwin Sifuna, Nairobi Senator has called for a three-day protest beginning next week, vowing to escalate anti-government demonstrations until their demands are met. He then added that the tri-weekly protests will take place from Monday to Wednesday and will end only when President William Ruto agrees to review the contentious Finance Act 2023.
“From next week, three days straight of maandamano, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday until William Ruto understands the people are suffering and repeal this law the same way that he imposed it upon them,” he said.
He also chastised the government for previously declaring that it would arrest Azimio leaders, claiming that they will not relent in their fight against the government and are willing to be apprehended for the same reason.
“Nobody is going to threaten us. There is nothing these people (Kenya Kwanza) have not said. There is nothing they can scare us with. If it is arrest, we are ready to be arrested,” noted Sifuna.
“We want to tell Kenya Kwanza, walk the talk. Kenyans are angry and not at us but at the government because they do not want to listen.”
Sifuna addressed the aftermath of the chaos that transpired during the protests on Wednesday, saying that a number of protesters were injured and 15 people reported dead.
“We have reports from Mathare, Embakasi, upwards of like 15 people lost their lives yesterday and it is quite disheartening to see my colleagues making jokes about this matter because those of us who have interacted with the victims of the police brutality yesterday we don’t see anything to laugh about.”
The raging battle between police and protesters occurred across the country, resulting in the deaths of nine people, including four in Mlolongo, two in Kitengela, and one in Emali in Makueni County.
The protests took place despite being pronounced illegal by the police for lack of notice.
Nonetheless,Azimio party leader Raila Odinga declared that they will not relent in the fight against the government, appealing to President Ruto to give an ear to their demands lest the protests remain active.
By Pacifica Mochama
