Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused the police of stoning protestors in Wote after running out of teargas.

Speaking after leading anti-government protests in Wote, Makueni county, Kalonzo accused officers of using excessive- force against protestors.

“We say pole to those who have lost their lives unnecessarily. We want them to know that the perpetrators cannot go unpunished if we are in a democracy… If we are in a country that believes in the rule of law. Tuliona polisi was Makueni wametia fora. Walipoona teargas imeisha wakaanza kutupa mawe (Makueni police officers have ‘gone beyond. They started throwing stones after running out of teargas),” Kalonzo said.

“We thought Wote would be more peaceful but on the contrary, the police decided to use excessive force. We have realized that this excessive force has been used everywhere today. We have lost lives in Mlolongo, Emali and surely this cannot be acceptable.”

During the Wednesday demos, several people were shot dead in different parts of the country where the protests were held.

Raila faults police

In a statement, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga said he was forced to cancel his Kamukunji rally after reports that some protestors were shot dead in Mlolongo and Emali.

“In order to protect our people and avert more injury and loss of lives, we have taken the strategic decision not to proceed with the rally at Kamkunji this afternoon. In any case, the people have made the point,” Raila said.

Raila was scheduled to address his supporters at Kamukunji grounds and later lead a protest to the City Centre.

He accused the police of being the perpetrators of violence by provoking peaceful protestors, who were exercising their right to picket.

“On Monday, I was able to get into town, address Kenyans and disperse peacefully without any injuries or deaths. This was because police did not try to break up the meeting. Yesterday, we were at Kenyatta Market. We were able to have lunch and hold impromptu meeting with people that ended peacefully, because there were no police. All our engagements are peaceful until the police show up,” Raila said.

In Meru, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni and former Agriculture CS Peter Munya were forced to board boa bodas after clashing with the police.