Odinga Uses Public Transport to Protest Kenya's High Living Costs

Odinga Uses Public Transport to Protest Kenya's High Living Costs: Police dispersed and teargassed hundreds of demonstrators in Kisumu protests that replicated in Nairobi, Kisii, Mombasa and other towns on July 7, 2023. One person succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Kisumu the following morning, raising the number of deaths from the Saba Saba protests to two. Seven others remained hospitalised at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital, all with gunshot injuries, medics said. The protests were called by opposition leader Raila Odinga who urged Kenyans to take to the streets against tax hikes occasioned by the Finance Bill. Police used teargas on demonstrators in all the towns, and arrested more than 100 others. On July 8, police used teargas on civil society representatives, including former chief justice Willy Mutunga, who were demanding the release of dozens of people taken into custody during the protests, campaigners said. Odinga has constantly criticised the government of President William Ruto, accusing it of failing to consider the plight of Kenyans, particularly after the Finance Bill was passed paving the way for increased commodity prices, including fuel. Similar protests were violently dispersed by police in May 2023 be