Hundreds of Kenyans Protest in Nairobi CBD over High Cost of Living
Hundreds of Kenyans on Thursday took to the streets of Nairobi to protest the high cost of living even as they threatened to boycott the upcoming elections.
Carrying sufurias, plates, and empty packets of sugar and flour, the protestors went around Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) before marching to the Office of the President at Harambee House.
“Our elected leaders have failed us and Kenyans are going through so much and that is why we are here to demand for the reduction of prices for basic commodities,” one of the protestors told journalists.
Another activist faulted the government for blaming the Russia-Ukraine conflict for the high cost of living, saying the war has only worsened the situation.
“The prices of food were high even before the issue of Ukraine came, we are in this situation because of too much borrowing and the money goes into the pockets of a few,” he stated.
And with barely 30 days to the August 9th elections, the protestors accused Deputy President William Ruto and Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition flagbearer Raila Odinga, who are the two front runners in the forthcoming presidential election, of giving empty promises instead offering solutions.
“Raila is a friend of the president so it’s just a phone call away, Ruto has been in government for ten years and he is also giving promises, why can’t they help us now?” a protester wondered.
On Wednesday, Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said President Kenyatta has no individual powers to avert the rising cost of living, saying the situation is not unique to Kenya.
“It is not fair to put this blame on one person, it is not the President. There is a neighboring country where the president told citizens to expect a rise in the cost of living, they understood…. But here we are blaming Uhuru. It is not him, he has no individual powers,” Oguna said in a radio interview.
He attributed the rising inflation to the Russia-Ukraine war, saying Uhuru has no control over it.
Currently, a liter of cooking oil costs an average of Sh400 while maize and wheat flour prices are retailing at Sh230 per 2kg packet. A liter of super petrol has hit Sh160.
Comments
So what is the end goal of a…
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So what is the end goal of a demonstration?
A revolution! Or do you have…
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In reply to So what is the end goal of a… by formerly guest 2 (not verified)
A revolution! Or do you have a suggestion
No comment....
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In reply to A revolution! Or do you have… by Mwororo (not verified)
No comment....
Foolish idler! Wewe unataka…
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In reply to A revolution! Or do you have… by Mwororo (not verified)
Foolish idler! Wewe unataka kufinywa hio makende ya ujinga.
I would love to see this…
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I would love to see this kind of solidarity,on matters such as corruption, unemployment and domestic violence.
It’s tumbo solidarity…
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In reply to I would love to see this… by Maxiley (not verified)
It’s tumbo solidarity. Unfortunately they are demonstrating for a situation out of the government’s control. Rising prices are caused by many factors. I think you know that since you studied accounting @maxiley. Just trying to help you to remember a few things you learned in your E on 101/2 class.
@maxiley - please pick one…
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In reply to I would love to see this… by Maxiley (not verified)
@maxiley - please pick one place in Florida where prices of goods have not hit the roof. Gas prices where you are are about $6.00 per gal now compared to a one year ago when they were at $2.70.
You are right @ Andrew gas…
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In reply to @maxiley - please pick one… by Andrew (not verified)
You are right @ Andrew gas prices and other items are going through the roof. Nyama choma is now a luxury. However, my comment has nothing do to with prices,or high cost of living.Iam more concerned about the "spirit of togetherness" preferably at all times when things are not right.
Is it you talking about…
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In reply to I would love to see this… by Maxiley (not verified)
Is it you talking about domestic violence @maxiley? So you want to tell me your mejico sinorita is whacking your behind or what? I am now in Miami if you need some sisterly help to do a little bit scratching on the face.
You in Miami, Iam on my way…
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In reply to Is it you talking about… by Jane (not verified)
You in Miami, Iam on my way.Mexican knows that Iam going on a business trip...
You Voted for them. Anyway:…
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You Voted for them. Anyway: INFLATION is Everywhere.
@guest1 - I was thinking…
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In reply to You Voted for them. Anyway:… by GUEST1 (not verified)
@guest1 - I was thinking about the same think that these demonstrators got bribed to vote a certain way and now they are complaining the same people they voted in. Oscar Sudi was dishing out shs 100 in WSR’s meeting, voters were happy to take the money, and so they could vote for the wrong fella simply because they took the money. Some of this things happen to teach folks a lesson.
meanwhile the politicians…
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meanwhile the politicians are busy campaigning and ordering new choppers while the voter has no idea what's for dinner.
It’s time for Ouru and…
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It’s time for Ouru and Ojinga to bring back all the looted billions stashed offshore and give to the rightful owners, the robbed poor people! Thieves!
You can demonstrate all you…
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You can demonstrate all you want but the world crisis will not stop because you are running half naked on the streets of Nairobi.
Things have changed world over between covid19 pendamic and Ukraine's war. Do not be lied to by greedy politicians Kina Moses Kuria, the mad Ndindi Nyoro, etc.
Your small black minds have been poisoned by Ruto to think cost of living have only increased in kenya. WSR can feed you with the money he has stolen over the years from you. Wacheni upuzi Wakenya.
It's not a black thing, it's…
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In reply to You can demonstrate all you… by Yesinia (not verified)
It's not a black thing, it's universal to look for someone to blame. White republicans blame Biden. You unfortunately have chosen the lens of race like white people do. If a single black person does or says something asinine, it's blamed on his blackness and imputed to all black people, if a white person does it, only a that person is considered a moron. You are expressing some very white racist sentiments.
Ruto will not help any body…
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Ruto will not help any body because he is a major part of food crisis in kenya today.
Food shortage started when Ruto was the minister for agriculture. He told farmers to destroy all other crops and start growing avacados. The farmers followed Ruto blindly advise and now crisis of food shortage have hit amid other world crisis.
Can Kenyans now boil the avacados to make some Ugali?
It’s about time for kenya…
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It’s about time for kenya cities to start rural migration of the youth and teach these young hooligans some farming skills to help grow food for the entire country. They can expect the aging population to provide enough food for them while busking in the city in the Sun doing nothing.
The issue here is the MASSES…
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The issue here is the MASSES.
They're been duped with empty promises every election cycle, getting mia BILI and electing thugs .Also the tribal divisions are still playing a role.
It's time we looked deeper within ourselves.
Turudi mashmbani tukalime!…
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Turudi mashmbani tukalime! Stop blaming govt for everything. What are you doing for yourself??? Entitlement kills. The govt is not supposed to feed you FOOL!!
Exactly 100%
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In reply to Turudi mashmbani tukalime!… by Kipngetich (not verified)
Exactly 100%
Well said! Don’t expect Unga…
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In reply to Turudi mashmbani tukalime!… by Kipngetich (not verified)
Well said! Don’t expect Unga to come from Heaven like mana. God does not reward lazy people👯♀️. You can walk to Nanyuki to get free food out of my farm. I got plenty that I am even feeding to the cows. But please expect to work for it before I give it to you. You can go listen to your doomsday prophet Ruto to give some mouth therapy with empty rhetorics. Nonsense!
Well said. I like the FOOLS…
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In reply to Turudi mashmbani tukalime!… by Kipngetich (not verified)
Well said. I like the FOOLS part.
If people spent more time…
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In reply to Well said. I like the FOOLS… by Soldieron (not verified)
If people spent more time thinking and solving problems so many probs would be gone.That is why man was given a brain requiring higher level thinking. Not to spend time cramming the Bible verses and academic books but to spend time thinking.
"Ask not what the government…
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In reply to Turudi mashmbani tukalime!… by Kipngetich (not verified)
"Ask not what the government can do for you..."
This thing is simple. Just…
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This thing is simple. Just vote wajackoyah or kigame. lakini kenyans have selective amnesia they will vote for Ruto or Raila, then sing the same song for 10 years.
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