Running battles as nationwide protests erupt across Kenya over high living costs

Tension is running high as Kenyans in various regions of the country have hearkened the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga’s call for nationwide mass protest against the high cost of living being blamed on President William Ruto’s administration.

Kenya’s capital city Nairobi remained deserted for a better part of the morning as residents of the city avoided any confrontation with protestors or the authorities.

Many shops remained closed and public service vehicles steered clear of the major roads that lead to the CBD as their strike also kicked off on Wednesday.

Kenyans plying Mombasa Road were forced to cut their trips short as protestors took to the road and even got to the Nairobi Expressway.

The irate mob vandalized the sections of the Expressway at Mlolongo forcing Moja Expressway, the company that manages the Expressway to close the road temporarily.

Police were forced to lob tear gas at protestors who were advancing into the city from various quarters.

Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi while leading protestors for the Maandamano in his constituency from Kangemi met resistance from police who had blocked the road.

The police lobbed tear gas to disperse the protestors who scampered for safety leaving their leaders behind to be shielded by his security personnel.

Mathare and Kibera residents also met a similar resistance from the police as they were also staging their anti-government protests, burning tires and using stones to block the roads.

Similar instances were witnessed in other parts of the country where the police engaged protestors in running battles.

In Kisii County, residents barricaded the Kisii-Nyamira Highway by 8:00 am paralyzing movement on the otherwise busy road.

The Rongo-Homa Bay road was also rendered impassable after protestors blocked the road with boulders.