APA-Nairobi (Kenya) Kenya’s main opposition leader has been spearheading a march in the capital Nairobi on Monday to protest what they called the ‘obscenely high’ cost of living in the country.
As it made its way to some of the protests, Raila Odinga’s convoy was targeted with teargas by anti-riot police who have been out in force hours ahead of the demonstration, the first since Kenya’s new president William Ruto took charge of the country late last year.
The police have barricaded access to the capital’s business district amid running street battles with hundreds of Odinga’s supporters who are calling on the new government to step down.
There are unverified claims that one demonstrator had been shot and killed in the protest which also saw several opposition leaders arrested.
Odinga, who claimed widespread fraud after losing last year’s presidential election to President Ruto told supporters that Kenya’s economic woes will only come to an end if they defeat what he called the dynastic politics which had characterised the country since independence in the 1960s.
The veteran opposition leader has reiterated claims that he had won last years presidential vote.
There have been few traffic as some parts of the Kenyan capital are put under lockdown including key government offices and the vicitinities around the presidential compound ahead of the demonstration.
WN/as/APA