Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio La Umoja, has had his security detail withdrawn by the government ahead of planned anti-government protests scheduled to begin on Wednesday. The security detail, which included police officers stationed at Odinga’s residences in Siaya, Kisumu, and Karen, has been removed. Additionally, the security of Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper Party, and over 50 Members of Parliament aligned with the Azimio la Umoja coalition, has been withdrawn.
Furthermore, the government has also withdrawn the security of four Nyanza Governors: Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), James Orengo (Siaya), Prof. Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu), and Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) in anticipation of the protests. These actions come after Odinga alleged that the government has established a new police unit called the Operations Support Unit (OSU) to handle anti-government protests and target Azimio la Umoja leaders.
In a statement released on Saturday, Odinga claimed that this unit was observed in action during protests in Kamukunji, Mlolongo, and Jogoo Road the previous Wednesday. Odinga accused the government of deploying a trained “killer squad” under the guise of the OSU, alleging that they fired at and killed protesters. He mentioned that the OSU had been disbanded in the past but has now been reinstated under Mr. Kariuki.
Despite the government’s actions, the opposition has declared its determination to proceed with the protests, asserting that the right to demonstrate is protected by the constitution. Odinga himself tweeted on Monday night, declaring, “Starting on Wednesday, be ready for the game-changing Maandamano” (Swahili for “protests”).