Raila a no-show at Kamukunji as officer loses gun to goons

ODM Leader Raila Odinga addresses the Press during Saba Saba annivesary at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, on July 7, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] Kamukunji Grounds, regarded as the cradle of Kenya's protest politics, turned into a battleground on Monday, with a police officer losing his firearm and a protester sustaining gunshot wounds. Despite inviting Kenyans to gather at the historic venue to mark the anniversary of the July 7, 1990 demonstrations, ODM leader Raila Odinga failed to appear. His absence angered some supporters, who accused him of using the rally as a decoy to divert protesters from the city centre, which remained under lockdown. While the grounds appeared deserted in the early hours, clashes later erupted between police and protesters outside the venue. In the ensuing chaos, an officer reportedly lost his G3 rifle while fleeing from an irate mob armed with pangas and slashers. The gang had been looting nearby churches and shops in the Shauri Moyo area. Police officers who spoke to The Standard on condition of anonymity admitted a reluctance to use live ammunition, citing fear of legal repercussions. "There is a general fear among us, as most of us have been left to defend ourselves in court," one officer said. A lack of coordination among officers from various units led to a breakdown in the chain of command, with disagreements on how to respond to the unrest further hampering efforts to restore order. Seventeen-year-old Kelvin Mutune was shot five times with rubber bullets-four times on the arm and once in the back. He insisted he was not part of the protest. "I was coming from Majengo heading home when patrolling police officers opened fire on me," he said. Healthcare workers at Shauri Moyo Clinic initially declined to treat him, only relenting after appeals from members of the public and the media. Mutune later recorded the incident in the Occurrence Book at Shauri Moyo Police Station, but was informed that the station's vehicle had been torched in a previous protest and could not transport him to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. "I was shot at 1pm, and by 4pm I still hadn't been taken to hospital. I had no choice but to go back home," he said. Residents who had gathered around Kamukunji Grounds throughout the day expressed frustration over Raila's absence, accusing him of betrayal after aligning with President William Ruto's administration. "We feel deeply let down by Raila, who for many years has been a symbol of hope," said Calvin Omondi. He added: "There are rumours that the grounds have either been earmarked for an affordable housing project or have been grabbed, but Raila has remained silent since joining Ruto in government." "Had Raila not called us to Kamukunji, the looting would not have happened here, and that officer wouldn't have lost his gun. He owes us an apology," said Maureen Akinyi.

Raila a no-show at Kamukunji as officer loses gun to goons

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