Azimio leader Raila Odinga stated that the violent incidents during Tuesday's protests were not initiated by the young generation who originally began the demonstrations.
Raila emphasized that the protests, which initially started as a peaceful expression of discontent with the government by young Kenyans, devolved into chaos and mayhem on Tuesday.
The Azimio leader noted that the looting, vandalism, and robberies seen were not representative of the Gen Z protesters who had started the demonstrations.
"Individuals who were not part of the Gen Z protesters hijacked the movement, looted businesses, attacked innocent Kenyans, and destroyed critical infrastructure," Raila said.
He asserted that the young people who started the protests aimed to address the injustices in the country and educate Kenyans that protests can be peaceful, civil, and still achieve their goals.
Raila reported incidents of innocent women being harassed and defiled in some parts of the country during the protests.
He condemned the violence inflicted on protesters and business owners during Tuesday's demonstrations.
The Azimio leader stated that the alleged thugs who hijacked the protests and caused mayhem committed a double betrayal against the youth.
"The bad behavior must be stopped," Raila added.
He reiterated the coalition's demand for civility and accountability from security officers.
"I extend deep sympathy to the families who have suffered at the hands of looters posing as Gen Z protesters, to the innocent people whose business premises were broken into, their products looted, and who now face the harsh reality of being worse off than before the protests."
Various leaders have condemned the violence during Tuesday's protests, claiming that alleged goons infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations to tarnish their image.
Shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and business stalls suffered from the criminal acts of individuals disguised as demonstrators.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) released facial images of 38 individuals suspected of engaging in unlawful activities during the anti-Finance Bill protests.
The DCI urged the public to provide information that could lead to the suspects' arrests via the Fichua Kwa DCI hotline number 0800-7222-03, or the police hotline numbers 999, 911, or 112.
"The individuals whose images/photos appear below are wanted by the police for their unlawful activities during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations. We therefore advise them to report to the nearest police station for further police action," the DCI stated.
During a media roundtable on Sunday, President William Ruto said that while police would not interfere with peaceful demonstrators, they would take action against any criminal elements attempting to create anarchy.
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