Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Thursday July 3, 2024 urged the government to arrest individuals sponsoring goons who were looting businesses during protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country. 

In a press statement, Raila claimed that  the government has details of individuals sponsoring violent protests in the country. 

“The scenes of people looting, vandalizing and robbing were way different from what was witnessed at the start of the protests when the Gen 2 were in complete control of the process and its programs,” Stated Raila Odinga. 

Raila added that People who were clearly not the Gen Z that started the initial protests hijacked it, looted businesses, attacked innocent Kenyans and destroyed critical infrastructure.

“What started as an expression of disaffection with the government by young Kenyans through peaceful protests and presentation of petitions to authorities degenerated into chaos and mayhem yesterday,” he added.

In addition, the Azimio leader claimed that there are reports of innocent women being harassed and raped in some parts of the country.

Raila also condemned police brutality on peaceful protestors, as he demanded civility and accountability from security officers during protests.

“I extend deep sympathy to the families who’ve suffered in the hands of looters posing as Gen Z protestors, innocent people who’ve seen their business premises broken into, their products looted and who now face the reality of being worse off than before the protests,” Raila stated.

According to the Azimio leader, the young people who started the protests were out to correct the injustices in the country and in the process educate Kenyans that protests can be peaceful, civil and still achieve the intended goals.