I will be back, says activist Julius Kamau

A man who was recently removed from an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) presidential candidates’ meeting has said he will continue attending the meetings and air his grievances on behalf of the Kenyan people. Julius Kamau said he is gifted with the art of protesting and he will use any available chance to raise concerns of people’s suffering to elected leaders and government officials.

Kamau has participated in almost all demonstrations in the city, ranging from the ones called by teachers at the Knut headquarters or those called by other activists marching to areas like Parliament Buildings or to the president’s office along Harambee Avenue.  Kamau, who was for the second time attending the IEBC meeting organised for presidential candidates, caused a stir when he stood up as the meeting was progressing and claimed that he had a letter to present.

Last month during a meeting organised for presidential aspirants he was hauled away by security officers.
“I want  to present a petition to candidates to commit to court process in case any of them will contest polls outcome,” shouted Kamau as he was ejected out of the meeting.
The meeting was underway with three presidential candidates Raila Odinga, George Wajackoyah and Waihiga Mwaure seated when the man started shouting that he’s a voter and has a letter to present at the meeting.

He was lifted and taken out of the hotel gate by security guards attached to the candidates and their running mates. Kamau is not the first one to be lifted out of public meetings.
During former President Mwai Kibaki’s reign, a civil rights activist popularly known as Odhis shouted on top of his voice as the Head of State was addressing the nation during a public holiday.

Officers from the renowned Recce  Squad, which  provides security to the Head of State and his deputy, were caught flat footed as the man made his way to the presidential dais where Kibaki was seated. Photojournalist turned civil rights activist Boniface Mwangi has also been arrested at Nyayo Stadium on a public holiday as he also shouted down Kibaki during a public holiday over the high prices of commodities.

In January this year, a man claiming to  be the son of former Busia North MP Fredrick Oduya Oprong (deceased) tied himself to one of the gates leading to Ruto’s office, citing lack of a job.

Lawrence Amuke Oprong said Ruto had promised him a job, but reneged on the pledge, leaving him with no other option but to show up at his Harambee House Annex office.
A contingent of 20 plainclothes police officers later arrived and used a hacksaw to break the chain and took him to Central Police Station where they detained him briefly before releasing him.