Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has condemned police brutality witnessed during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protest across the country.
Speaking on Saturday in Siaya County, Raila also criticized the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to the streets.
Additionally, he has condemned the shoot to kill order issued to the police, reiterating that police officers are supposed to protect the people.
“First I want to send my condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. Web lost so many young lives because of trigger happy police men who have been given instructions to shoot to kill.
“In similar authorities all over the world, police are not supposed to be shooting to kill people. The responsibility of the police is to protect life,” Raila said.
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At the same time, Raila called out the government for sending goons to man protestors.
“A police officer who becomes rogue and begins to shoot aimlessly is a criminal. What we saw is something that is completely unprecedented in the 61 years of Kenya’s independence.
“We are being told that goons have been hired. Who are these goons and who hired them. Tell us, tell us!” demanded the opposition leader.
Further, Raila has asked the William Ruto led government to withdraw KDF officers from the streets explaining that their mandate is to protect the borders.
He also asked the police to escort peaceful protestors instead of shooting at them and killing them.
“The army is there to defend the country against external aggression and not to kill with internal boundaries.
“We have said several times that civilians are allowed to protest, picket and demonstrate against what they don’t like. Peaceful demonstrators are supposed to be escorted by police not shot at by police,” he added.
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Next Steps After Protests
The opposition leader has asked the youth to remain vigilant and exercise their rights to picket and protest.
At the same time, he has announced that in the following weeks, he will be engaging different stakeholders to have a conversation about how to move forward.
According to Raila, it is time to speak as one people and create the country Kenyans want.
“It is time for Kenya to come as one and talk as one people about the Kenya we want. This is the time for this. We are going to talk about details of those engagements in the coming weeks.
“It is time for us to remain firm. God is with us. And if God is with us, who can be against us?” he said.
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