Nairobi — Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Leader Raila Odinga has asserted that the coalition's demonstrations are still on despite police officers cordoning the Nairobi Central Business District where the protests are initiated to commence.
On his twitter account, Odinga stated that the opposition coalition is not interested in a handshake with the President William Ruto's administration.
"No handshake, tuko on, Mondays and Thursdays," he tweeted.
Kenyans are bracing for a new round of anti-government demonstrations over the high cost of living, after the opposition vowed the action would go ahead despite a police ban.
Security was tight, with riot police stationed at strategic points in Nairobi and patrolling the streets, while many shops were shut and train services from the capital's outskirts into the central business district were suspended.
Odinga has urged people to take to the streets every Monday and Thursday, even after protests a week ago turned violent and paralysed parts of Nairobi.
But Kenya's Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome told reporters Sunday that the rallies were "illegal" and would be banned.
Ruto, who is currently out of the country for a four-day trip to Germany and Belgium, has called on his rival to halt the action.
"I am telling Raila Odinga that if he has a problem with me, he should face me and stop terrorising the country," he said Thursday.
"Stop paralysing the businesses of mama mboga, matatu and other Kenyans," he said, referring to women stallholders and private minibus operators.
Many Kenyans are struggling to put food on the table, battling high prices for basic goods as well as a plunging local currency and a record drought that has left millions hungry.
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During last Monday's clashes, a university student was killed by police fire while 31 officers were injured as running battles erupted between riot police and demonstrators in Nairobi and opposition strongholds in western Kenya.
More than 200 people were arrested, including several senior opposition politicians, while protesters -- as well as Odinga's own motorcade -- were hit with tear gas and water cannon.
It was the first major outbreak of political unrest since President William Ruto took office more than six months ago after defeating Odinga in an election his rival claims was "stolen".
Despite the police ban, Odinga called Sunday on Kenyans to join what he has described as "the mother of all demonstrations".
"I want to tell Mr Ruto and the IG Koome that we are not going to be intimidated," he said. "We are not going to fear tear gas and police."
Odinga also accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating an operation to cause "mayhem" at Monday's rallies.
Nairobi residents were wary after the previous violence.
"I may have to close too because I have seen most of my neighbours are closed," said Mercy Wangare, an Mpesa (mobile money) kiosk attendant at an electronics shop.
"I am just weighing the situation before I decide because the sight of these policemen patrolling around is a sign that it may not end up well."
The Communications Authority of Kenya has sought to prevent television stations from broadcasting the demonstrations live, but the move was blocked by the High Court.
