Gov't condemns Azimio protests, vows to arrest organizers and financiers

The government has condemned acts of violence, looting and destruction of property witnessed across different parts of the country on Wednesday during Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party’s anti-government demonstrations.

In a statement to newsrooms, Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki castigated opposition chief Raila Odinga for being the "architect of today’s lawlessness and impunity," while referring to the former premiere as the poster boy for violent politics.

"From the 1982 attempted coup-de tat to the 2007/08 post-election violence, this same politician and his collaborators, then and now, are associated with risky politics that has occasionally plunged our country into near destruction," said Kindiki.

"The architect of today’s lawlessness and impunity, together with his co-conspirators have once again overseen a day of shameless and unprovoked looting of private premises, illegal obstruction of economic activities, and extensive damage of major public assets and infrastructure built on the sweat of the taxes of the people of Kenya."

The Interior boss added that persons who partook in the demonstrations, both directly and indirectly, will be dealt with in accordance with the law.  

"The Government has tonight mobilized all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders," said Kindiki.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, in a separate statement, likewise slammed protestors who vandalised the Nairobi Expressway during the demonstrations.

"As a country, we cannot normalise such ads of violence, lawlessness and vandalism committed on the pretext of exercising political rights," he said.

"We have asked the Office of the Director of Criminal Investigations, through the Office of the Inspector General of Police, to carry out thorough investigations and ensure the perpetrators of such heinous acts, many of who were captured on CCTV cameras and by the media, are apprehended and punished."

CS Murkomen added that should any such cases happen in future, the organisers of such demonstrations will be held accountable for the actions of their supporters.