'Today was extremely successful!' Azimio says as it announces plan for Thursday protests

The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Party will on Thursday continue holding anti-government protests across the country for the second day running.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the opposition coalition said the demonstrations will go on as planned until the government heeds their demands.

While regretting the injuries and loss of lives witnessed on the first day of the three-day planned protests, Azimio described Wednesday’s demos as “extremely successful”.

“The Azimio leadership has noted with tremendous satisfaction the extremely successful Day One of the 3rd Wave Maandamano across the country today. We salute the gallant Kenyan patriots who braved police teargas, water canons and bullets by turning up in their numbers to express their sovereign will,” said the coalition in a statement issued by Azimio co-principal Martha Karua.

The Raila Odinga-led team strongly condemned the violent scenes witnessed during the demos, accusing police of harming unarmed demonstrators.

“Unfortunately, and characteristically, the police have today inflicted terrible harm on peaceful and unarmed demonstrators. We empathise with those whose loved ones have lost lives in the hands of rogue elements in the Police Service. We also wish those who suffered injuries, and are lying in various hospitals across the country, quick recovery,” added Azimio.

The coalition has urged its supporters to turn up in large numbers and continue with the protests on Thursday as a show of what it describes as “denouncing the punitive taxes imposed on them by the illegitimate Kenya Kwanza regime through the ill-fated Finance Act 2023.”

In Nairobi, similar to Wednesday, the coalition has earmarked three points where it has called on its supporters to gather. They include; Huruma Grounds, Kangemi Grounds and Central Park (CBD).

“For those who were unable, for one reason or another, to participate today, you have a chance tomorrow and the day after. We expect the Police to provide security to the demonstrators and the general public,” said the coalition.

Plans by Azimio to rally its supporters to Jacaranda, Kamukunji and Joseph Kang'ethe grounds in Nairobi were thwarted by security agencies who were heavily deployed in the said areas and surrounding regions to deter any form of gathering by the coalition.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether the Azimio principals led by Raila Odinga, who did not make any public appearance, will join the demonstrations on Thursday.