Azimio MPs say 15 people killed during protests

A section of Azimio Parliamentary group has claimed that 15 people were killed during the anti-government demonstrations and condemned police brutality on protesters.

Speaking during a media briefing in Parliament Building, Nairobi, yesterday, the legislators castigated what they termed as state-sponsored terrorism and maintained that the protests would continue next week.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said that the fatalities were recorded in Mlolongo, Dagoreti North, Mathare, Embakasi among other constituencies on Wednesday.

“Our supporters arrived at Kamukunji grounds ready for peaceful protests but were met by police who provoked them using teargas canisters. I want to condemn police brutality in the strongest terms possible,” he said.

Sifuna took a swipe at the Kenya Kwanza administration saying it was more concerned with the destruction of property as opposed to the lives lost during the protests.

Earlier, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had conducted an inspection of the Nairobi Expressway where he announced that at least Sh707 million was incurred in losses after rogue youths vandalised a section of the road during the anti-government protests.

“I have seen the CS mourning over broken flower pots. I want to know how much value he attaches to a person’s life,” said the senator.

Sifuna further revealed that the Azimio Parliamentary Group had agreed to have protests three times a week and a decision on the same would be announced soon.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi criticized the police for lobbying teargas canisters in Kihumbuini Primary School. He condemned the attack on people living with disability (PWD’s).

“In Westlands goons were hired and deployed to cause chaos so that it seen as if Azimio supporters do not follow the law. The people I saw destroying property are not from my constituency,” he claimed.

Dagoreti North MP Beatrice Elachi said goons took advantage of the protests to loot property.

“People in the informal settlements are hungry and here are those who will take advantage of the protests to loot. Kenya Kwanza should stop all this pride, let’s sit on the table and talk Kenya before the country burns,” said Elachi.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino cautioned the state against blaming the deaths on opposition leader Raila Odinga and accused the police of using extra-judicial tactics.

“The same hustlers that Ruto promised jobs are the same ones that the police are killing…it doesn’t matter how many you kill; we will proceed with the protests until Ruto surrenders,” said Owino.