March 26 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The general inspector of the Kenyan Police, Japheth Koome, recalled this Sunday that the demonstrations called by the opposition for this Monday are not authorized and therefore they will use all means to prevent them.
“I have not approved any demonstration. We are the police and we are ready to guarantee peace throughout the country. We have enough jeeps to stop them,” Koome said in statements reported by the Nigerian press.
“We have tear gas and rubber bullets that have been duly tested and cannot cause death,” the police leader explained at a press conference.
He has also warned that they will not accept aid from civilians. “To those who think they can come with a rungu (stick) to help the Police, I say no. To those who want to come to help the police with their rungu or their panga (machete): stay away. We will treat you like any other another criminal,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who leads the Azimio party, has called mobilizations every Monday and Thursday to protest the high cost of living and against the government, which he considers illegitimate for considering the August 2022 elections fraudulent.
Odinga then ran as a presidential candidate with the support of the outgoing president, Uhuru Kenyatta, but William Ruto prevailed with 50.5 percent of the vote, as validated by the Supreme Court. Odinga obtained 48.85 percent of the ballots, although he immediately denounced fraud.
