Nairobi — Azimio has called for fresh protests on Wednesday next week, despite a warning by the government that outlawed any form of demonstrations.

The announcement was made Thursday during a press conference by top Azimio leaders-led by Raila Odinga at his foundation office in Nairobi.

"I want to thank Kenyans for turning out in large numbers. Kenyans have a right to picket," Odinga said and condemned what he described as "police brutality against demonstrators. "We are saddened by the actions of the police."

Police fired tear gas on protesters who defied a police ban to join a demonstration against tax hikes in the capital Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kisii, Homa Bay, Nakuru among other towns leading to the killing of at least seven people.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has announced a ban on such protests, vowing action on leaders who sponsor or finance them.

"We will not spare anyone and that is why I am saying there will be no protests allowed anymore," he said Thursday.

But Odinga and his Azimio coalition have vowed to stage more protests on Wednesday next week, saying "we don't fear arrests."

Eugene Wamalwa, a former Defence Cabinet Secretary, said Kenyans should "not be intimidated by police and the government."

"We call on Kenyans to refuse to be intimidated in their own country and resist the move to turn the police into killer squads," he said.

But even as Azimio addressed the press conference, their counterparts from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) were speaking from the party headquarters in Nairobi where they called for the arrest of leaders involved in planning protests.

"Raila is sponsoring violence every day despite the deaths of people and destruction of property," said UDA Secretary General Cleopas Malala.

Majority Leader in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah said "there is no doubt as to who the sponsors of this violence is."

"Since we know you and the intent of your sponsor, please spare the people's lives," he said, "Odinga and Kenyatta, it is you two that got this country to where it is and you are busy sponsoring violence."

Odinga denies sponsoring violence, saying he only calls for peaceful protests and has accused police of disrupting demonstrations and protests leading to violence.