Raila: Those who looted during Tuesday’s protests were not Gen Z

Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio movement, expressed his dismay over Tuesday’s protests, emphasizing that the initial peaceful intentions by Kenya’s young generation were overshadowed by subsequent violence and chaos.

According to Raila, what began as a legitimate expression of discontentment with the government evolved into scenes of looting, vandalism, and attacks on innocent citizens and infrastructure. He clarified that those responsible for the mayhem were not representative of the genuine protestors, particularly the youth from Generation Z who originally initiated the demonstrations.

Raila condemned the acts of violence and destruction, highlighting reports of harassment and assault against innocent women. He stressed that the original aim of the protests was to address injustices peacefully and civilly, advocating for responsible activism to achieve their goals.

Raila further criticized the infiltration of alleged thugs who exploited the protests for their own agenda, labeling it a betrayal of the youth and calling for an end to such misconduct.

He extended sympathy to affected families and business owners who suffered losses due to the violence, emphasizing the need for civility and accountability from security forces. Raila’s remarks underscored the coalition’s stance on condemning violence and maintaining the integrity of peaceful protests.

Leaders across the spectrum echoed similar sentiments, denouncing the infiltration of criminal elements during the protests and urging the public to assist law enforcement in identifying suspects involved in unlawful activities.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations released photos of 38 individuals suspected of engaging in criminal acts during the demonstrations, urging the public to report any relevant information to authorities.

In response to the incidents, President William Ruto assured that while peaceful demonstrators would not face interference, the authorities would swiftly act against any individuals attempting to incite chaos or engage in criminal behavior.