Sizeable Protests Escalate in Machakos
We have had anti-government protests across the country today, with crowds forming in Nairobi, Kitengela, Mombasa, Eldoret and now Machakos. It appears that despite the concessions by the Ruto government after the Finance Bill protests, there still remain some sections of the population that feel that the actions he took were not satisfactory. In Machakos, a sizeable crowd formed on this cold Tuesday afternoon to storm the streets in protest:
Happening now in Machakos! pic.twitter.com/TMEnhy5BU5
— Omwamba 🇰🇪 (@omwambaKE) July 16, 2024
One resident was interviewed by the media and he claimed that he did not like the dialogue solutions proposed by some leaders. He says he wants action rather than dialogue:
Machakos Resident: Once bitten twice shy. We have had a dialogue before in this nation but the results are the same. For us, we want action and not dialogues.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/3gGYSRmAy9
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 16, 2024
Another Machakos resident sent a stern warning to Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, saying that they are coming for her:
Machakos Resident: We want to send a stern warning to the governor of Machakos. We are coming for you. We are ready to die.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/QE93wd2el6
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 16, 2024
There were also some attempts to free captured protestors. Crowds formed outside the police base to stand in solidarity
The police however, retaliated, using teargas to diperse the crowd
Heavy security deployment around Machakos Police Station after protesters threatened to set free those arrested in the demos pic.twitter.com/wDV7ejfsPL
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 16, 2024