Protests Rock Kenya Over Presidential Election’s Fraud, High Cost Of Living –

Protests Rock Kenya Over Presidential Election’s Fraud, High Cost Of Living

Protests Rock Kenya Over Presidential Election’s Fraud, High Cost Of Living

Thousands joined marches called by opposition leader Raila Odinga against high living costs and alleged fraud in last year’s vote.

The President William Ruto’s government has said the vote was fair, defended its economic record and called for the protests to stop.

Violence also marred Monday’s protests, and the first demonstrations the Monday before that, prompting pleas for calm from civic leaders who said they feared a descent into ethnically charged violence.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged protesters to go home on Thursday. “We are telling our elder Raila Odinga, the only way to get into government is through the ballot.”

Earlier in the day, Odinga rode through Nairobi’s Pipeline neighborhood in a convoy with other opposition leaders, as hundreds of supporters marched alongside, waving twigs, saucepans and empty packets of flour.