Nairobi — Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga has alleged that his vehicle was hit with a live bullet during anti-government protests in Nairobi.
Odinga told journalists during a briefing at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) where he retreated after being dispersed from the Nairobi CBD by police that the action was an attempt on his life.
Circulated pictures showed what appeared like a bullet hole on the side of Odinga's official vehicle while another image showed part of his part of his vehicle's rear window vandalized.
"We were actually aiming to get to the KICC, and they blocked us, and they were shooting in our direction," Odinga said as he showed journalist parts of the damage to his vehicle.
Odinga condemned the action by police as "unfortunate."
Earlier Odinga had ordered a mass march to Nairobi's Central Park on Friday in renewed agitation against President William Ruto's presidency.
However, though Odinga managed to access the City Centre his entourage was met with heavy force by the anti-riot police who deployed teargas and water cannons to stop him and his supporters from accessing the Central Park.
Odinga who has refused to acknowledge Ruto's presidency despite the Supreme Court dismissing his challenge in September 2022 asked his supporters to "directly exercise power" terming President Ruto's mandate as "illegal".
"We are saying today that the time for discussions is over. Our constitution in Chapter One, says power is in the hands of the people. And they can exercise that power anytime," he told his supporters at a rally in Nairobi's Kamukunji grounds.
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Hundreds of Azimio supporters gathered at Kamukunji as Odinga readied for a fresh round of anti-government protests weeks after his troops ditched bipartisan talks in Parliament.
Addressing his supporters on Friday, Odinga who has lost a significant number of Azimio lawmakers to Ruto's Kenya Kwanza side said Parliament had betrayed Kenyans.
"Kenyans elected leaders to Parliament, and they have betrayed them. Ruto himself who took over power illegally has betrayed Kenyans."
The opposition chief said the protests were in response to the high cost of living and what he termed as "punitive taxes" imposed by President Ruto's administration.
Undeterred by the early morning cold and early morning showers, the supporters voiced their dissatisfaction with the state of the economy and the tax measures enforced by President Ruto's government under the Finance Act 2023.
Some chanted "tumechoka!" (we're tired!) as they blew whistles displaying coordinated messages sanctioned by the Odinga-led opposition alliance.
