Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday vowed to continue with nationwide protests against President William Ruto’s government over increasing living costs, reported Africa News.
Odinga’s comments followed Monday’s demonstrations during which one university student was killed, 31 officers were injured and more than 200 people were arrested including senior opposition politicians.
Kenyans came out on the streets in large numbers on Monday to protest against inflation, which rose to 9.2% in February over a year in the East African country. They also demanded the resignation of Kenyan President Ruto.
According to Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei, the legislators arrested have been released and are to appear in court on Thursday on charges that are yet to be announced.
During a nationalized television address, Odinga announced that the protests will be held twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays starting next week.
“Fellow Kenyans, in the second phase of our protest and in response to public demand, we shall now hold protests every Monday and every Thursday beginning next week,” he said.
Odinga said to his supporters and all patriotic Kenyans that the struggle has just started.
“We are not looking back; we will not be intimidated. No retreat, no surrender,” the Kenyan opposition leader added.
On Tuesday, Kenya’s deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, said the government lost about 2 billion Kenya shillings ($15 million) due to Monday’s protests. He appealed to Odinga to stop the demonstrations and think about the losses to the economy.
Odinga, on the other hand, has remained adamant and vows to continue with the protests until the cost of living go down. He has lost five bids for the presidency so far. ,
Odinga continues to claim that Mr. Ruto’s win in last year’s presidential election was fraudulent and describes his government as illegitimate. He also made an appeal to Kenya’s Supreme Court to nullify the results but the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the election was rigged.
