Kenya Vs South Africa Protests: Blocked Roads, Arrests and Mercedes Dealers Withdraw Vehicles from Yards
- Kenya's and South Africa's Opposition leaders, Julius Malema and Raila Odinga, both called for defiance protests against Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and William Ruto respectively
- The protests were in defiance of the current regimes in both countries, where presidents were accused of incompetence
- Both demonstrations saw businesses closed down for the better part of the day and heavy deployment of police officers
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Was it a coincidence or planned? This was a question many people asked when they realised that South Africa's Opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Kenya's Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance would spearhead countrywide protests.
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In Kenya, the protests began in Nairobi, Kisumu and other counties after Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga did an early morning social media post urging Kenyans from all walks of life to join in the demonstrations.
Raila Odinga and Julius Malema in streets
Raila, however, could not join the masses in the streets, with his whereabouts remaining unknown for the better part of the day until he showed up with his affiliates to address the press shortly after midday.
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The protests came about 11 days after he called for mass protests to defy President William Ruto's leadership on Thursday, 9 March, with protest issues being the high cost of living and a review of the electoral process of August 2022.
In South Africa, Malema and his supporters made true their National Shutdown call for protests and jammed the streets of different places, including Sandton, Cape Town, Pretoria and across provinces.
Incompetence, electricity blackouts and high cost of living
Like Raila's camp, Malema is accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa's regime of being incompetent and unable to contain blackouts and provide health care and other basic needs of the citizens.
The vocal EFF leader mustered large numbers nationwide to join the National Shutdown at the chagrin of leaders from the ruling African National Congress (ANC) leaders.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula condemned the National Shutdown call, saying it would bring unrest and panic to South Africa, reiterating that the nation was not a; "Banana Republic."
Malema termed the National Shutdown a success, having been able to address his supporters and join them in the march across streets, with observers saying it was the most peaceful post-apartheid revolt, unlike one that happened two years ago, costing hundreds of lives.
Mass action arrests in Kenya and South Africa
By 6pm it was reported that at least 87 protesters had been arrested due to breaches of law during the National Shutdown protests, with thousands of military and regular police officers deployed to oversee the demonstrations.
In Kenya, there were several arrests that included four Azimio la Umoja MPs who were detained and released on a KSh 50,000 cash bail later in the day.
Raila and Ramaphosa vowed to take their grievances to the State House and Presidential Residence, respectively. Still, only the latter had managed to get closer to the protected area.
Ruto must go, Ramaphosa must go chants
On the other hand, Raila was met by a heavy contingent of elite police officers who blocked roads to Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and routes leading to State House barricaded with elite General Service Unit troops.
The Kenyan Opposition leader ended up addressing his supporters in parts of Nairobi city where many businesses remained closed, with traders anticipating losses due to looting by some rogue protesters.
Business losses
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on Raila to consider ending the mass protests as it had cost Nairobi over KSh 2 billion in business on Monday, 20 March, alone.
In South Africa, too, many businesses remained closed, with car dealers like Ford, Mercedes Benz, and Mazda removing their vehicles from their yards, fearing vandalism from protesters.
Overall the Kenyan protest witnessed a lot of confrontation between police officers and civilians, with teargas canisters lobbed severally and a shooting incident reported in Ngong and Maseno University.
However, the numbers that showed up in South Africa's National Shutdown looked massive and united in their largely peaceful marches.
The demonstrations were punctuated with chants of "Ruto must go" when Raila addressed his supporters, with South Africans tweeting and retweeting with the #Ramaphosamustgo hashtag.
Malema reiterated that there was no time to retreat or surrender in the push. Raila declared that, despite police interruptions and alleged State intimidations, the protests would go on every Monday.
EFF supporters camp outside Luthuli House, demanding end to loadshedding and Cyril Ramaphosa’s resignation
In a related story, Briefly News reported that some supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters camped outside Luthuli House following the national shutdown on Monday, 20 March.
The group marched across the City of Johannesburg, demanding the removal of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Party members vowed to continue picketing outside the African National Congress headquarters until they see action.
Addressing supporters, EFF Johannesburg Deputy Chairperson Victor Senyatso said they would continue protesting until electricity is restored in the country and Ramaphosa is removed from office. He said that communities have been called on to join the fight, according to TimesLIVE.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
