Anthony Irungu
Saturday July 22, 2023
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga says “bad flu” has kept him from taking part in the three-day street protests that he called for over the cost of living and tax hikes.
"It is not a must that opposition leaders have to be seen on the streets," Mr Odinga told a Kenyan TV station about the protests that are due to end today.
The veteran politician, who lost disputed presidential elections last year, said "game-changing" demonstrations belonged to the people and were not his alone.
He denied suggestions his absence was a ploy to do a deal with President William Ruto, adding he was not seeking to be a part of the government.
"We have not, and we will not seek a ‘handshake arrangement’,” the opposition leader said referring to the name for the deal he made with the previous President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
For his part President Ruto has insisted that he will not engage in discussions with Mr Odinga to resolve the current impasse.
On Thursday, he praised the police's response - the police chief had said the protests were a threat to national security and deployed riot officers across the country.
But many others have criticised the way the security forces have confronted demonstrators, which has led to several deaths.
Far fewer people have been taking part in this week's anti-government protests compared to earlier demonstrations. Many people stayed at home on Wednesday and Thursday, fearing violence.
But things appear to returning to normal on Friday with schools and businesses reopening.
Major bus stations in the capital, Nairobi, and other cities are slowly resuming operations.
The opposition's three designated meeting points for Friday’s protests, including one in Nairobi's central business district, seem deserted with little or no activity.