NAIROBI, Kenya July 15 – Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has alleged that the government has revived the “Operation Support Unit (OSU),” a trained squad known for its lethal capabilities, within the official security agencies.
Raila claims that the primary objective of this resurrected unit is to “harm and eliminate leaders and protesters associated with Azimio.”
According to Raila, Zakary Kariuki is leading this unit, which had been disbanded in previous years.
“Last Wednesday, OSU was in action in Kamkunji, Jogoo Road, and Mlolongo, firing at protesters and killing some,” adding that “President William Ruto is counting on it to deal with Azimio leaders.”
Raila has remained determined and undeterred and recently declared the coalition’s intention to extend their protests to span three consecutive days, starting next week on Wednesday.
“Kenyans have never lost a liberation struggle. We get beaten, arrested, and killed but we never lose,” he said.
President Ruto maintains that no protests will be allowed under his watch, emphasizing his determination to take decisive action against those who defy the government’s ban.
However, Raila, who has centered his protest on pressuring President Ruto’s government to address the escalating cost of living, remains resolute in his commitment.
He asserts that no amount of “arrests, fabricated charges, unlawful detentions, or imprisonments” will weaken his determination to bring about change.
“We are struggling to be liberated from politics of deceit, corruption, dictatorship, and arrogance. In the past, we have suffered detention without trial, police brutality, and even a totally compliant judiciary, and still, we did not lose. We shall not lose the one currently underway,” he said.
The protest organized by Raila on July 12, 2023, spiraled into chaos and violence, resulting in extensive property damage and the unfortunate loss of 14 lives, as reported by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
The incident has drawn the attention of the UN Human Rights Office, which expressed concerns about the pervasive violence and raised allegations of excessive or disproportionate use of force, including the utilization of firearms, by the police during protests in Kenya.
“We call for prompt, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries. Those responsible must be held to account. Effective measures to prevent further deaths and injuries must be adopted,” spokesman Jeremy Laurence said in a statement.
UNICEF, the UN children’s agency, also said it was deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of children in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya during the protests.
“The reports of children being exposed to tear gas and other dangers present in large crowds are alarming,” it said, calling for all parties involved to ensure the safety and protection of children.
“Children should never be exposed to harm, and their fundamental right to education must be safeguarded,” it added.
