On Monday, March 20, Azimio Members of Parliament expressed their concern that the government had withdrawn their personal security detail ahead of the planned mass action protest.
The MPs gathered outside Parliament Buildings, where they spoke to the media about their frustration. Nominated MP Nyakerario Mayaka noted that the members of the public would protect them during the running battles with police, urging Kenyans to rally behind their cause to petition the government to lower the cost of living.
“Even if you withdraw all our security, the public will protect us and we will all fight for things that affect Kenyans. Secondly, they stated that when Raila declared that Monday should be a holiday, he should have done a Gazette notice.
“Raila himself is a human Gazette notice. If he says today is a day that we are out there fighting for Kenyans for the things they deserve and we are out there. Let us join hands and fight for this country,” she stated.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed her sentiments, condemning the police for disrupting what was initially scheduled to be peaceful demonstrations across the country. Sifuna himself was a victim of police brutality during the protests. He urged their supporters to expect more demonstrations in the coming weeks.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed also expressed his frustration with the government, stating that they were using taxpayers’ money to suppress their right to protest. Mohamed urged their supporters to expect more demonstrations in the coming weeks, warning that “the real one is coming.”
“They are using taxpayers’ money. Today was just a rehearsal, the real one is coming,” the legislator stated.
The MPs also expressed concern about the arbitrary arrest of their leaders, including National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi and Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo. Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, who is also a lawyer, lamented that she was denied entry to Central Police Station to visit her clients.
Odhiambo stated that they would not allow a dictatorship in the country and that they would continue to push on.
