Madzayo, Opiyo arrested while leading Azimio mass action in Nairobi

Police arrest Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo at KICC on Monday, March 20, 2023, for leading supporters in Azimio mass protests. [Samson Wire, Standard].

Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo and his National Assembly counterpart Opiyo Wandayi were on Monday, March 20, arrested in Nairobi as they led supporters in the Azimio mass protests.

The two were arrested around 10am and 10:45am respectively outside the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), after their attempt to storm the convention centre was thwarted by police officers who lobbed teargas to disperse the protesters.

March to State House

Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya, said the protests will culminate in a march to State House, where they will present their demands to President William Ruto.

Odinga wants the government to address, among other things, the high cost of living and to end discrimination in government appointments.

Speaking on Sunday from his home in Karen, Nairobi, Odinga maintained that the mass protests would continue, dismissing police claims that the protests were illegal. He added that the protests would end only if the government listened to them.

"Our people are suffering from the high cost of food, electricity fuel, and others. He has removed subsidies put in place to cushion the people of Kenya. He is the most tribal president Kenya has ever had and you can see that from his appointments which are divisive," said Odinga.

Earlier, Nairobi Police Commander Adamson issued a warning to anyone participating in the protests, saying that the protests are illegal and police were under firm instructions to deal with cases of lawlessness.