Nyeri leaders condemn anti-government protests

Nyeri, Thursday july 13, 2023

KNA by Samuel Maina

A section of Nyeri elected leaders have condemned protests organized by the opposition Wednesday that degenerated into running battles between goons and anti-riot police for the better part of the day.

The protests, which saw scores of people injured and property running into millions of shillings destroyed had been called to pressurize the government to address among other things, the high cost of living and suspension of the 2023 Finance Act that is currently awaiting court’s ruling.

Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia has however termed the ensuing chaos and violence that witnessed in more than dozen counties including Nairobi as unconstitutional and unfortunate.

Kaguchia who is a first-time legislator and former Nyeri County Assembly Speaker claims that while a number of grievances that are being highlighted by the protestors are clearly valid, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance luminaries led by Raila Odinga are hiding behind these challenges to derail the efforts by the government in addressing them.

“What was witnessed yesterday was very unfortunate and unconstitutional. What is happening is that ODM is trying to take advantage of the challenges that Kenya are going through. Even though article 37 of the constitution allows picketing, demonstrations and presentation of petition to public authority, it doesn’t in any way advocate for the kind of violence we are seeing. It does not allow the kind of destruction of property that we have seen,” he said during today’s Citizen TV Day break show.

“Article 34(d) of the same constitution has given limitations of freedom of expression and other rights for Kenyans and the limitations are clear. What we saw yesterday was some people trying to go overboard and taking advantage of a situation we all agree is a challenge but which we seek to remove from the people,” he explained.

The lawmaker has also accused the Azimio leaders of using the plight of the masses to vent their anger following their loss during the last general election and urged them to come to terms with the reality and allow President Dr. William Ruto to fulfil his pre-election promises.

Tetu MP Geoffrey Ndeto has similarly condemned the violent protests that were witnessed in various parts of the country and termed the actions as a sabotage to the government.

He said the call by the opposition for Kenyans to take to the streets to destroy property, loot and cripple businesses is not the solution to addressing the current challenges facing the country but only meant to destroy an already fragile economy.

 “The cost of living won’t be addressed through street protests, closing down businesses and paralyzing public transport. People who are closing their business or cannot access their places of work due to demonstrations are not gaining anything. We cannot be working hard to build the economy of this country, while other people are busy hell bent on seeing its destruction. The solution to the problem of the high cost of living is being addressed by investing in the agriculture sector and hopefully we are going to harvest our maize within the next two months,” said Wandeto on the sidelines of an Education Managers Conference at the Kagumo Teachers College.

However, opposition leaders led by Raila have vowed to resume the nationwide protests from Monday running to Wednesday next week, until the Government heeds their call to rein in the runway cost of living and shelve plans to implement the 2023 Finance Act.

But even as the leaders dig in for more protests, many Kenyans are calling for a cessation of hostilities between security officers and demonstrators in order to salvage the country’s struggling economy.

Courtesy ; K. N. A