Kalonzo praises Machakos for 'exemplary' Saba Saba protest

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has praised Machakos County’s chapter of Friday’s Saba Saba protests which were organised by the opposition to picket against the high cost of living.

Speaking Sunday during a church fundraiser in Utawala, Nairobi County, the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya co-principal said Machakos residents staged a peaceful protest worth emulating, devoid of violence.

“What happened in Machakos County on Friday is an example worth copying. Hatuna chuki na mtu, tunachuki na uovu. Kenyans are not after destroying anyone's property and we've to tell our supporters that we are not violent,” he said.

He thanked the police for respecting citizens’ freedom to peaceful protests and said the demonstrations will go on until President William Ruto’s government heeds the cries of Kenyans regarding the current tax regime, which he described as punitive.

He however, blasted police in Nairobi, where opposition leader Raila Odinga staged a rally in Kamukunji grounds, for being violent.

“The police in Machakos County on Friday behaved professionally, and that's what we want. But here in Nairobi, the police are being misused. They even threatened Odinga's life,” he said.

The Wiper Leader praised the Kisii community for what he described as organising themselves for the protests without the leadership of an opposition co-principal.

“As you encourage Raila, Karua and Kalonzo not to relent, I also urge you not to relent either. Revolutions begin in quiet places and are people-led. I give Friday’s protests in Kisii the first position because Raila was not there or myself. The people organised themselves and I respect them for that,” he said.

-'Aiming for Odinga's life'-

On Friday, Odinga rallied his supporters to kickstart an initiative aimed at pushing President William Ruto and his government out of office.

After addressing the Kamukunji rally, Odinga called on his supporters to march to Central Park in the Nairobi CBD where he was set to make a further address. 

The Odinga-led Azimio convoy would however be met with force by a heavily armed contingent of anti-riot police officers determined to ensure the thousands of protesters following the opposition leader do not make their way into the city centre.

During the melee, several vehicles on the opposition leader's convoy including his vehicle got their rear windows shattered.

The Azimio leaders were forced to scamper for safety and head to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) centre where the damage on the vehicles was inspected in front of the press.

Addressing journalists, Odinga claimed his vehicle was hit by a live bullet fired by police whom he claimed were aiming for his life.