From Wednesday to Friday, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and presidential candidate along with his ODM supporters will plan protests throughout twenty-five towns and cities. The ODM has accused Mwai Kibaki’s government of showing no interest of dialogue.
The group has also called for sanctions. However, police were quick to announce that they would not allow the allies to go ahead. According to Major General Mohamed Hussein Ali, the chief of the national police, the protests were not appropriate at the time.
So, police used water cannon and tear gas to block previous attempts to march through the capital of Kenya, Nairobi.
As a result, they were unable to reach the symbol Uhuru Park rallying-point. Uhuru is defined as “freedom.” This is the destination Odinga had chosen again as the focal point of the protests.
However, Uhuru Park has been surrounded by a ring of steel for two weeks according to BBC.
So far, at least 600 people have died in the violence. Many more have been displaced as a result.
Ghanian President John Kufour who heads the African Union had failed in a mediation bid. Now, former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan will make his own bid starting next week.
Anyang N’yongo, the secretary general of the ODM has called for international sanctions to be placed against President Kibaki. N’yongo says that it would be irresponsible for world leaders to trust Kibaki.
Leave Your Comments