Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga on Sunday appealed to his supporters to join in large numbers in countrywide protests on Monday against the increasing cost of living in the country, reported The Anadolu Agency.
Odinga’s Monday protest is also demanding the halting of the ongoing process of appointing new electoral commissioners and opening the electoral commission’s servers for scrutiny.
The opposition leader also continues to reiterate calls for an investigation into fraud in last August’s presidential election.
“Since Ruto was sworn in six months ago he has continued to run this country with a lot of contempt, many Kenyans cannot bear the cost of living; many people are dying because of lack of food,” Odinga said during a rally in Nairobi on Sunday.
Responding to Odinga’s call, Kenya’s President William Ruto said that he would not allow the opposition leader to incite violence in the country. He said the security forces will ensure to protect all the demonstrators and those who will not participate in the demonstrations.
The president said Odinga cannot terrorize the country with violent demonstrations and chaos. He said the police will work as per the country’s law and will ensure the rights of everybody are protected during the protests.
On Sunday, Kenyan Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki assured the police would protect the rights of all citizens, whether they join the protests or continue with their day-to-day activities. He urged protesters to abide by their constitutional right to protest peacefully and to respect the rights of others.
Kindiki said anyone who is found to incite public disorder or otherwise breach the peace in any part of Kenya on Monday shall be prosecuted.
The protest has been called at a time when the African country is grappling with a high cost of living. The recent tax measures announced by Kenya’s government and the hike in fuel prices have led to an increase in food and fuel prices.
