Raila vows to ignore Police ‘ban’ on protests

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dared police officers deployed to deal with the protests he is organizing to arrest him. Speaking at attending a church service in Nairobi on March 25, 2023, Mr Odinga further dared Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome to arrest him. “I am ready for arrest, don’t send any other officer, just come and arrest me yourself,” said Mr Odinga. He also warned Mr Koome to stop threatening opposition supporters because they had agreed to join in holding protests in the city. According to Mr Odinga the Kenyan constitution hands Kenyans the right to hold peaceful demonstrations. “The protests are on and we shall not relent, the government is used to lecturing us from inside churches and today we have done the same,” he said. Mr Odinga was accompanied by NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah amongst others. Mr Odinga's sentiments came hours after police declared all demonstrations in the country 'illegal'. Mr Japheth Koome, the Inspector General of Police, clarified Mr Odinga, who leads the Azimio la Umoja one Kenya Alliance, had not been granted permission to hold protests. “I ask all Kenyans to go on with their business as usual and we are out to ensure more officers are stationed in different parts of the city to deal with any chaos,” Mr. Koome said. He warned that police officers would not only be intimidated by anyone and instead work hard to ensure the environment is conducive for Kenyans to conduct their business. Mr Koome accused the opposition of causing chaos, arguing there were other ways in which they could handle their grievances. After holding what he described as successful protests across the country on March 20, 2023, Mr Odinga, the Azimio la Umoja leader, announced he will lead Kenyans in holding demos around the country on Mondays and Thursdays each week. Also read: Police plan to exhume Jeff Mwathi’s body, visit DJ Faxto’s house