Bus Burnt on Ngong Road Ahead of Maandamo Tuesday Protests
On Ngong Road, a burnt-out commuter bus resembling one used for daily transportation was discovered ahead of the planned anti-government protests organized by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja movement.

This occurrence marks the first protest since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which time the demonstrations were paused to allow the faithful to observe the religious observance.

Raila has emphasized that the protests would remain peaceful, however, some leaders, such as Interior CAS Millicent Omanga, have criticized the recent violent occurrence.

On the other hand, politician Mohammed Ali Nur expressed his skepticism about the protesters being responsible for the burnt-out bus.

He stated that the bus had no driver or conductor, and it was strange that it was already parked without a number plate. He suggested that it might have been a staged event to smear the reputation of the Azimio la Umoja movement.

Earlier, protesters had barricaded Mombasa Road, with old car tires being lit on fire to create bonfires.

This caused serious traffic snarl ups especially around GM stage. Police are currently present in Nairobi’s Central Business District, fully prepared to stop any demonstrations.

The opposition leader, Raila Odinga, is not present as of yet, despite the protests being dubbed “Maandamano Tuesday.”

The incident raises concerns about the effectiveness of peaceful protests and the ability of those who oppose such demonstrations to orchestrate acts of violence.

Furthermore, it calls into question the role of the police in protecting the rights of individuals to express their views through peaceful protest.

While the motive for the burning of the bus is unclear, the incident highlights the need for those participating in protests to remain peaceful and for the authorities to protect citizens’ right to peacefully protest.