Azimio Kamukunji rally: Raila begins mass signature collection, orders march to CBD

Odinga was speaking at the Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi where he convened a protest rally to unveil what he previously termed as a program of nationwide civil disobedience to force the Kenya Kwanza regime home.

The opposition leader however only made a brief address at Kamukunji before asking his supporters to march to Central Park in the Nairobi CBD, despite a police warning that the city centre would be a no-go zone for the demonstrators.

"Tunaanza hiyo harakati ya kuchukua mamlaka moja kwa moja. Kwanza lazima ijulikane sisi ni wanagpi na ndio maana tunaaza harakati ya kuweka sahihi ili kuonyesha tumechukua hiyo mamlaka chini yetu."

"Mimi mwenyewe, Raila Amolo Odinga nitaanza hapa hadharani kuweka sahihi na nyinyi nyote mtapata hiyo makaratasi mtaweka masahihi zenu ili kabla ya misho ya wiki ijayo tuwe na zaidi ya sahihi zaidi ya milioni kumi," he said.

According to the Azimio leader claims the mass signature collection will signal the withdrawal of their sovereignty from the current government and will be part of an initiative to remove President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua from office.

Heavy security including anti-riot police has been strategically deployed at various points of the city to ensure the Azimio protesters do not make their way into the city.

Police officers have been forced to lob teargas canisters to repulse the mounting crowds trying to mill into the major roads.

Meanwhile, similar rallies to historically mirror the Saba Saba Day have been staged in various parts of the country including Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Nyahururu.

Various Azimio leaders have been deployed to lead protests at the grassroots.