The Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has released a statement on the Azimio’s protest that took place in various parts of the country.
In a letter dated 12th July 2023, the CS termed the it as a “day of shame, violence and impunity.”
He wrote: “Today, some parts of Nairobi and a few other towns across the Country witnessed widespread violence, looting and destruction of private and public property.
“The authors of today’s orgy of violence and destruction took cue from a small group of former and current politicians coalescing around Mr. Raila Odinga, whose association with violent politics in Kenya is now legendary.
“From the 1982 attempted coup-de tat to the 2007/08 post-election violence, this same politician and his collaborators, then and now, are associated with risky politics that has occasionally plunged our Country into near destruction.
“After the 2017 General Election, the same politician and his believers, in complete disregard to the pronouncement of Kenya’s Constitutionally established institutions intimidated the Country through violence into his accommodation in Government resulting to a period of government
excesses and accumulation of a huge national debt and upsurge in the cost of living, consequences which Kenya is still struggling to recover from.
“In a most characteristic manner, the architect of today’s lawlessness and impunity, together with his co-conspirators have once again overseen a day of shameless and unprovoked looting of private premises, illegal obstruction of economic activities, and extensive damage of major public assets and infrastructure built on the sweat of the taxes of the people of Kenya.
“They lied to the Police that they would be holding a peaceful political rally at the Kamukunji grounds, only for them to unleash terror on innocent Kenyans, as a result of which lives have been lost, scores of law enforcement officers and civilians have been grievously injured and unimaginable loss to the Country’s economy has been ocasioned.
“This culture of impunity will stop. All those who took part, directly or indirectly, in today’s well-orchestrated violation of public safety and security of our nation shall be punished.
“The Government has tonight mobilized all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders.”
