Kenya Rally Canceled as Supporters Hit with Tear Gas and Water Cannons
Supporters of Ralia Odinga have been told to go home. The rally for today has been canceled after tear gas and water cannons were fired at the gathering crowd.
The protesters were to attend a “million-man” rally that many feared could worsen the violence that has already killed 300 people and displaced 100,000.
Supporters and leaders of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement had been blocked from getting to the rally in Nairobi’s city center by government forces who used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds.
“We are a peaceful people who do not want violence,” William Ruto, a top official with presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s party told The Associated Press. “That is why we are peacefully dispersing now.”
Organizers hope to reschedule the rally for next week.
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3 Responses to “Kenya Rally Canceled as Supporters Hit with Tear Gas and Water Cannons”
didnt we all know they would be met with violence? i’m not sure why they went ahead with this planning ‘million man march’ in the first place today.
Comment made on January 3rd, 2008 at 4:56 amEvery time an African “election” doesn’t go well with one side or the other, they bring out the machetes. This isn’t a continent that can govern itself. It was a bunch of tribes that slaughtered each other and took slaves before Europeans arrived. Europeans were tribes too … but evolved. Africans haven’t.
Comment made on January 3rd, 2008 at 11:52 amWhy is the media constantly describing Raila Odinga as a champion of the poor? For the 14 years he has been in parliament, he has done very little for his constituents. If, indeed, he loves his people, why hasn’t he used some of his CDF money that he got from Kibaki’s government to alleviate poverty among the Luos in Kibera? There are no toilets, running water or roads in Kibera. Raila conveniently uses Luos for his own political expediency.
Comment made on January 3rd, 2008 at 2:24 pmLeave a Comment