In Kenya, the protest continues. After the demonstration on Monday March 20, the opponent Raila Odinga called for a new rally on Monday March 27 against the high cost of living. Like the previous one which ended in violent clashes and the death of a demonstrator, this new gathering was declared illegal by the authorities, but the opponents reaffirm their right to demonstrate, while inflation has reached 9, 2% in February.
With our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard
Like the previous one, this new event has been declared “ illegal by the chief of police who assured that his services were not going to allow “ violent demonstrations “. But Raïla Odinga reaffirmed from the church on Sunday March 26: “ NOTWe have the right, the Kenyan people have the right, to demonstrate in peace », to denounce the rise in the cost of living, affirming that this new ban will not stop it.
This demonstration will take place in peace. The law allows it. To Chief of Police Japhet Koome I say don’t bring violence, don’t try to complicate the situation. You say you want to arrest all protesters, I’m ready. I will be on the front line of the demonstrations. If we do not protect the rights and freedoms of Kenyans, we will have no more Kenya. Ruto claims that we are trying to bring anarchy to the country: no Mr. Ruto, we don’t want to create anarchy in our country. But we are fighting for our rights. And we have the right to tell the truth to Kenyans. Because that is what we are saying, Mr Ruto. We have the right, the Kenyan people have the right, to demonstrate in peace. I know you like to express yourself on a regular basis when you are at church, I answer you from church. With my coalition, Azimio, we are ready.
Kenyan opponent Raila Odinga vows to demonstrate peacefully despite ban
Monday’s demonstrations had degenerated. Riot police had fired tear gas and used water cannons against protesters who threw rocks and set tires on fire. A student was killed by police forces in the west of the country, 31 police officers were injured and more than 200 people arrested.
Traders hit hard
Inflation reached 9.2 % in February. The Kenyan shilling fell to a historic low against the dollar, losing 13 % in one year. The country is also facing a shortage of the American currency. Result : Kenyans suffer from soaring prices.
From his second-hand clothing stall at the Toi market, Jared Omuse is worried about it and will close his business for fear of overflows. However, he understands the anger of the demonstrators: the depreciation of the Kenyan shilling and inflation have hit his business of imported second-hand clothes hard.
“ Prices have increased by around 60 %. At the moment, it’s so expensive that it’s hard to buy and resell while making enough profit. We are forced to reduce our margins to maintain our prices and avoid losing our customers. », he explains.
The 28-year-old salesman hopes the protests will push the government to take further action against inflation.
“ Eight dollars lasted me a week, now it’s just over two days »
A few streets further, Philip Ayeko is waiting for his customers on his motorcycle taxi: he too deplores the soaring prices.
“ The fuel is too high, the cost of living too. Two months ago, the equivalent of eight dollars lasted me a week, now it’s barely more than two days. I would love to raise my rates, but customers won’t be happy. They are already rare, most fall back on the buses. »
However, Philip will not respond to the call from opponent Raïla Odinga. And deplores the impact of these events on his work. According to a poll by the Tifa Institute, although half of Kenyans believe the country is in bad economic shape, only a third say they support the protests.
A law setting a limit on the number of protesters
Raila Odinga has called for demonstrations every Monday and Thursday. THE President William Ruto urged him Thursday, March 23 at stop terrorizing the country and to end the protests.
The Minister of the Interior also announced on Sunday that he intended to push for the introduction of a new law in Parliament, which would put in place new rules for the supervision of demonstrations, including a limit on the number of participants.
To deal with the dollar crisis, President William Ruto announced that oil companies will now buy their fuel in Kenyan shillings. But Kenya is also facing a severe drought which is contributing to the rise in food prices. And the weakening of the Kenyan currency has also increased the repayment costs of loans made in Kenya.
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