Good morning,
President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga have pushed the country to the edge following a standoff over the last General-Election and public angst over the cost of living.
Kenyans have lost their lives in deadly protests inspired by the Opposition over a number of demands including an audit of the last presidential poll results, electoral reforms and protection of multi-party democracy.
Anxious Kenyans are keeping their fingers crossed after the Opposition called for a three-day countrywide demonstration amidst a strong warning by the State security agencies that the protests will not be tolerated.
That has ominously laid the ground for a show-down between security agencies and Azimio supporters. Though largely clothed as protests over the cost of living the political motive cannot be disguised.
The demos are a result of an unfortunate culture of endless political competition that has become part of our country’s post-election conditions with grave consequences for its citizens.
Do you think the 3-day countrywide demonstration will make a change to the cost of living or the desired changes so called upon by the opposition?
Meanwhile, here are news stories making headlines on Opera New today;
Babu Owino Arrested
Reports reaching the Challyh News desk are that Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has been arrested.
The vocal opposition MP was nabbed by DCI at Jomo Kenyatta Airport on the eve of Wednesday’s protests.
US official Katherine Tais refuses to meet CS Moses Kuria over foul mouth
The nasty public tirades and social media posts of outspoken and unapologetic Industrialisation, Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria have landed him in trouble.
This time, the Nation has established that the visiting United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai cancelled two scheduled meetings with Mr Kuria to discuss the trade ties between the two countries.
Sources said Ms Tai was to meet Mr Kuria on Monday at his Two Rivers office but cancelled, labelling him an ‘extremist’ over his unpalatable remarks against individuals and institutions.
Ruto Changes Tact, Issues Fresh Directive After Uproar On Wednesday Demos
President William Ruto has on Tuesday, July 18 issued a fresh directive to the police ahead of the Azimio leaders’ planned protests scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday.
According to Kenyans.co.ke, Dr Ruto’s administration has directed the police not to use live bullets after United Nations on Human Rights send a warning on Friday.
Dr Ruto’s administration has made the bold step following the Uproar after the Wednesday protests that left about 23 protestors dead.