A top prosecutor has reportedly dropped charges against four lawmakers involved in anti‑government protests, a day after opposition leader Raila Odinga, head of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition, suspended the demonstrations. The four opposition MPs, all senior members of Odinga’s party in parliament, were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly in late March and later released on bail. Thousands participated in three marches over the past two weeks to protest soaring prices and alleged fraud in the 2023 election; all three turned violent, and a fourth march had been planned for April 3, according to Reuters.
On March 20, anti‑riot police fired teargas and a water cannon at Odinga’s convoy as he led supporters toward the capital’s city centre. He was due to hold a press conference at a Nairobi hotel to discuss a “day of action” against President William Ruto’s government, but was forced to leave the premises. Odinga has refused to recognise Ruto or his administration and has called on the president to “vacate his office.” On April 3, he suspended the nationwide demonstrations after accepting Ruto’s proposal for a bipartisan parliamentary process to recruit commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), reports Capital FM.
The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu, praised both Ruto and Odinga for giving dialogue a chance to resolve Kenya’s challenges. Kenya’s Supreme Court unanimously upheld the August election results that made Ruto president, but Odinga continues to claim the election was stolen and has released new evidence he says proves his victory. A former prime minister, Odinga has failed in several attempts to become the country’s head of state.
Ruto has begun addressing Odinga’s demands, convening a meeting of parliamentary leaders at State House. Since the anti‑government protests began, three people have died, businesses have been looted, property vandalised, and journalists attacked, prompting concern from Kenya’s neighbours and allies, reports Capital FM.
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