Azimio Unveils Innovative Protests 2.0
Azimio la Umoja has strategized their anti-government demonstrations to avoid clashing with anti-riot police officers who have been accused of using excessive force to disperse demonstrators.
Opiyo Wandayi, minority leader of the National Assembly, stated at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) in Nairobi on July 26 that the opposition will focus on public defiance rather than street protests.
Thus, he exhorted their supporters to continue the demonstrations to exert pressure on President William Ruto to repeal the Finance Act 2023, which increased taxes and decreased the cost of living.
“We realized that our citizens were suffering as a result of police brutality.” Therefore, we have decided this week to change our protest strategy.
“We desire to state that Azimio la Umoja did not cancel or suspend the demonstrations. “It is essential to note that the protests have taken on new forms to ensure that the government responds,” Wandayi explained.
The opposition politician, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ugunja, stated that the media had erroneously reported that Azimio had called off the protests.
He explained that public defiance has many aspects, such as bringing attention to oppressive laws, refusing to pay taxes, and staying at home to avoid incurring unnecessary expenses.
“I’m sure you’re aware that some people are presently staying at home in protest against the government. We’ve decided on purpose that the protests will involve conspicuous defiance.
“Public defiance against the state is a form of political activism in which individuals or groups openly disobey laws or policies that they believe are unjust or harmful,” stated the leader of Azimio la Umoja.
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However, Wandayi urged demonstrators to avoid confrontations with armed police officers who may draw their weapons in self-defense, resulting in unwarranted deaths.
Police, he lamented, failed to exercise restraint toward innocent people who were merely protesting the government.
“This type of activism is often nonviolent, but it can also involve civil disobedience, which is the deliberate breaking of a law to draw attention to a perceived injustice,” Wandayi explained.
On Tuesday, June 27, opposition leader Raila Odinga urged his adherents to engage in a tax boycott in opposition to the regime of President William Ruto. To avoid paying the fuel tax, he also urged Kenyans to forsake their vehicles and opt for matatus as a mode of transportation.
In the meantime, the Azimio la Umoja coalition held a vigil on July 26 to honor protesters who were slain during anti-government demonstrations.
Hundreds of individuals attended the vigil at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) in Nairobi, including Raila Odinga and Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo.
The leaders of Azimio la Umoja demanded justice for the deceased demonstrators and an end to police brutality.
Azimio Unveils Innovative Protests 2.0