Kenyan Police fires opposition protesters, day after Raila Odinga announced withdrawal from presidential poll

By Sunday Ajiboye

Kenyan Police have fired tear gas at opposition protesters a day after their leader Raila Odinga announced his withdrawal from the presidential race, saying he does not expect it to be free and fair.

His supporters are unhappy at a new election law as there are fears it could lead to a walkover victory for incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta, in the rerun of the election later this month.

Election officials have been locked in crisis meetings since Odinga’s decision, as debate rages over what his moves could mean for an election after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s August 8 victory was annulled by the Supreme Court.

Protests have been taking place almost daily since the decision in a country that still has grim memories of post-election violence when a disputed 2007 poll prompted politically motivated tribal clashes that left over one thousand dead.

There is widespread anger; however, after parliament on Wednesday passed the new law, which says if one candidate withdraws, the other automatically wins the presidency.