Azimio leader Odinga to lead nationwide protests

Opposition leader Raila Odinga is today expected to launch a multi-faceted approach to his mass action plan against President William Ruto’s administration, including “civil disobedience”.

This follows yesterday’s lapse of the 14-day ultimatum the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader had issued to the President to expedite the opening of the 2022 presidential election servers and address the high cost of living.

In what was seen as a reaction to Mr Odinga’s threats, the government yesterday deployed security officers to areas around State House in Nairobi and Kisumu.

In Nairobi, at least two security officers were sent to guard roadblocks erected on several routes, including State House Road and the route between Kenya Comfort Suites and Ralph Bunche Road, while another team was stationed at State House Gate C, which is often unguarded, to control traffic.

In Kisumu, police cordoned off the road leading to the State Lodge. Jomo Kenyatta highway was also blocked from the wee hours yesterday, with motorists forced to use alternative routes.

Mr Odinga has drawn an intricate plan to advance his resistance to President Ruto’s administration.

The measures that are expected to pile pressure on the government include staging sit-ins or occupation of public offices, advancing the resistance in parliament using elected leaders and continuation of nationwide rallies dubbed people’s barazas.