Tag: Maandamano news

A family in Kisumu is mourning the deaths of two sons who died from injuries allegedly inflicted by police during anti-government protests two weeks ago.

Brian Oniango and William Amulele, both in their early 20s, died just three days apart while receiving treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Their mother, Everlyne Achung’o, says that Amulele died on Saturday night, while Oniang’o succumbed on Wednesday.

“The doctor said Brian had a cracked skull which caused his death, and when William died, the doctor told me he had a broken neck and cracked skull,” she said in an interview with Citizen TV.

Achung’o insists that her sons were not taking part in the demonstrations called by the Opposition Azimio to protest against the high cost of living and the controversial Finance Act, 2023.

The demonstrations, which were characterized by violent scenes in several parts of the country, were held between July 19-21.

The family has sent an emotional appeal to President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga, the two protagonists whose differences informed the mass protests.

“Let him (Ruto) not praise the police that they have done a good job, let him order for investigations,” the boys’ aunt Truphena Mboya said.

“And I call on Raila wherever he is to stop the protests because people’s children will continue losing their lives,” she added.

On Tuesday, Raila termed the alleged police brutality in Nyanza during anti-government demonstrations as ethnic profiling and cleansing.

The Opposition chief said in his address to international media that “they are targeting one particular community and that is not the route that we want Kenya to take”.

“They are targeting the Luos in Nyanza. That is why there is a disproportionate use of live bullets in areas like Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Siaya,” he claimed.

The Opposition, human rights organizations and foreign missions have condemned the police for using live bullets and disproportionate crowd control weapons like teargas and water cannons against demonstrators.

No official statistics have been released, but the Opposition claimed that at least 50 people were killed, although some rights groups said it’s roughly half the number.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday, July 25, issued a statement absolving police from alleged extrajudicial killings, saying the criminal acts were perpetrated using civilian guns and the blame shifted to the police.

“It has been established that licensed and unlicensed civilian firearms supplied by the masterminds of the recent violence were used to kill or injure civilians and security personnel, and the blame shifted to security officers,” he said.

The family of the two brothers is demanding justice and an independent investigation into their deaths.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga has said that he is recovering from a flu, which is why he has not been seen in public since the anti-government protests began on Wednesday.

Odinga, who did not disclose his current whereabouts, said that he was feeling slightly unwell but that he is on the mend. He also denied claims that he and other coalition leaders are hiding, saying that they are leading the protests from different parts of the country.

On why his co-principals, including Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, have not been leading the demonstrations as they have always done, Odinga said that the protests are for all Kenyans and that it is not mandatory for them to be present.

Odinga also slammed President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza team, accusing them of prejudice in their utterances and constant calls for peace. He vowed to continue with the protests.

According to Odinga, the President has not personally called him to discuss the way forward and he has not demanded a ‘handshake’ as Kenya Kwanza leaders have continuously alleged.

Odinga’s explanation comes after some Kenyans expressed concern about his whereabouts and whether he was still committed to the protests. The protests were called in response to the recent increase in fuel prices.

The protests have been met with a heavy police presence, and there have been reports of violence and arrests. Odinga has called on the police to exercise restraint and to allow the protesters to exercise their right to assembly

The government has announced that all day primary and secondary schools in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu counties will reopen on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

The decision to reopen the schools was made after the government evaluated the security situation in the counties and took measures to ensure the safety of learners.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2023, the government had closed all day primary and secondary schools in the three counties citing security threats.

The government said that it had received credible intelligence that criminal elements were planning to unleash terror and violence on the public, and that they intended to engage in armed skirmishes with security agencies around certain schools.

Schools in the three counties obeyed the directive, and an earlier spot check by the Star showed closed gates in several schools, including Moi Avenue Primary School in Nairobi.

The government has said that it has taken steps to ensure the safety of learners, including deploying additional security personnel to the schools.

The reopening of the schools is a welcome relief for parents and learners, who have been anxiously awaiting news about when they would be able to return to school.

The government has urged parents and learners to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

It is important to note that the security situation in the country remains fluid, and the government may need to take further measures to ensure the safety of learners.

Kenyans are scheduled to take to the streets for three days of protests against the government’s policies. The protests are being organized by the Azimio coalition, led by Raila Odinga.

In a statement, Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma said that the protests are a result of the way President William Ruto is leading the country. He cited concerns such as the high cost of living, the government’s hunger for borrowing, and the targeting of democracy and multi-partyism.

Kaluma also criticized the government for muzzling independent offices and commissions, stalling talks for electoral reforms, and becoming arrogant and dictatorial.

He urged the government to stop the protests by returning the Finance Act, 2023 to Parliament for repeal, restructuring the government to reflect the face of Kenya, and stopping corruption.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has urged Odinga to call off the protests. He said that the issues being raised by the Azimio coalition can be discussed in parliament.

It remains to be seen whether the protests will go ahead as planned. However, the fact that they are being organized by a major political coalition suggests that they could have a significant impact on the country.

Parts of Nairobi, Machakos, Kiambu, Nyamira, and Mombasa counties will experience a power outage on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, due to normal maintenance activities by Kenya Power.

In Nairobi County, the affected areas include Red Hill Road, Gachie, Nyari West, Karura Seventh Day Adventist church and secondary school, Commission for University Education, Rosslyn Green, Embassy of Switzerland, TRIO Estate, and other adjacent customers.

In Machakos County, the affected parts include Katani, Rhombus, Bluestone, Suraya, National Concrete, VeeVee, Aristocrats, Kirinyaga, Mugoya, and Garuda.

Other areas within the same county are Greatwall Gardens Phase 3, St Franciscan Sisters, Whistling Morans, Harvest International, Waridi, Pine City, Nova Pioneer School, Seyani Brothers, Welding Alloys, Alrabia, Riverpark Estate, Graceland Estate, and adjacent customers.

The power interruptions will also affect the North Eastern part of Kiambu. The specific areas in which the power blackout will hit include Tola, Bob Harris, Ngoingwa, Metro, and Weitethie.

Others include Tola town, Kiahuria Shopping Center, Mpesa Academy, Albbizia, and adjacent customers.

Also parts of Ruiru and Mugutha towns will be affected by the power interruptions. The specific areas include Kenrub, Ukombozi, Magumo Farm, Part of Mugutha 4 Way, China Wuiyi, Ruiru Law Courts, Green Belt, the office of the district Commissioner, Taurus, Ridges, Comrades, Muhasibu, Yadini Farm, Elite Diaries, Njagu Estate, Ken Agro, Mahiga Estate in Ruiru and adjacent customers.

The power interruptions will also affect Nyamira County in South Nyanza Region. The areas include Kiriaini, Kamune, and Kagumoini.

The specific areas include Gatugi Market, Kiriaini Town, Munaini District Commissioner’s Office, Kamacharia, Kagumoini Market, Diara, Kanjama Market, Kora Market, Kamune Market, Iruri Market, and Thuita Market.

The other areas are Kiaga, Karuthi Secondary School, Geitwa Market, Kariki, Giathugu Iruri, Mairo Market, and other adjacent customers.

In Mombasa County, parts of Likoni will be affected by the blackout. Other areas include Co-operative Bank, Shelly Beach Hospital, St Thomas Hospital, Timbwani Hospital, Pungu Villas, Tijara, Majengo Mapema, Furaha Garden, Dudus, and Pungu.

Kenya Power has advised customers in the affected areas to make alternative arrangements for power supply during the maintenance period. The company has also apologized for any inconvenience caused.

Police in Nairobi on Wednesday morning cracked down on protests against the high cost of living, deploying anti-riot officers and blocking roads leading to the State House.

The protests were organized by the Azimio La Umoja Coalition and other civil society organizations, who were calling for the government to take action to address the rising cost of food, fuel, and other essential goods.

Police said that the protests were illegal because they had not been properly authorized. They also warned that anyone who participated in the protests would be arrested.

Despite the police crackdown, some protesters did manage to gather in small groups in different parts of the city. However, they were quickly dispersed by police.

The protests come at a time when the cost of living in Kenya is at an all-time high. The government has been criticized for its handling of the economy, and many Kenyans are struggling to make ends meet.

It remains to be seen whether the protests will have any impact on the government’s policies. However, they have certainly brought attention to the issue of the high cost of living, and they are likely to continue in the coming days.