Chaos, teargas, running battles and suspected live bullets marred Nasa leader Raila Odinga’s entry into Nairobi city centre upon his arrival from the US on Friday.
Mr Odinga left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in a convoy of tens of vehicles accompanied by a host of Nasa leaders and hundreds of their supporters.
Source – https://nation.africa/kenya
Raila Odinga’s return to Nairobi on November 17, 2017, marked a significant and tumultuous event in Kenya’s political landscape.
Upon landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at approximately 11:13 AM, chaos ensued as his supporters clashed with police forces.
Approximately 200 supporters breached security to welcome him, leading to confrontations with law enforcement.
The situation escalated as Odinga’s convoy departed the airport. Due to a traffic gridlock on Mombasa Road, the convoy diverted to Jogoo Road.
However, police engaged in running battles with protesters, resulting in the burning of vehicles, including a minibus, a police lorry, and two carts outside Burma Market.
The area was filled with smoke from burning tires and teargas, and reports indicated the use of live ammunition by police to disperse the crowds.
The unrest led to significant disruptions in the city’s eastern parts, with businesses halting operations and roads becoming impassable.
At the City Stadium roundabout, police efforts to prevent the chaos from spreading into the central business district were largely unsuccessful.
Despite the turmoil, Odinga’s convoy continued towards Uhuru Park, where he addressed a rally.
The day’s events highlighted the deep political divisions and the intense opposition to the government’s actions, underscoring the volatile nature of Kenya’s political climate at the time.
