'LOYAL' Citizens turn up in large numbers at Uhuru Park for the Sabasaba Rally

Nairobi - Thousands of Kenyans rallied Monday for an anti-government demonstration in the capital's central park amid heavy police presence, with political and ethnic tensions high following weekend attacks in which over 21 were killed. Opposition leader and former prime minister Raila Odinga has organised the rally to address what he says are major government failures, including worsening crime and insecurity, rising living costs, impunity, corruption and allegations of ethnic favouritism in government appointments. Police were searching and screening supporters as they entered Nairobi's Uhuru park, or "Freedom" in Swahili, an AFP reporter said. The rally, the culmination of a series of countrywide demonstrations, is held on the July 7 anniversary of protests for multi-party democracy in the 1990s, a date heavy with symbolism and known commonly as "Saba-Saba" , or "Seven-Seven" in Swahili. Police say they have deployed 15,000 officers to ensure the rally passes off peacefully, with the country already on high alert fearing attacks by Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab gunmen, who have vowed revenge for Kenya's military presence in Somalia. The Shabab claimed twin attacks in Kenya's coastal region on Saturday night in which at least 21 were killed, the latest in a series of killings, although police blamed the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC), a group that campaigns for independence of the coastal region. The Shabab also claimed responsibility for attacks last month at Mpeketoni. Survivors reported how gunmen speaking Somali and carrying Shabab flags killed non-Muslims. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, however, denied that the Shabab were involved and instead blamed "local political networks" and criminal gangs, saying victims had been singled out because of their ethnicity.

Many businesses affected by the GRAND SABASABA RALLY

Many businesses remained shut in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Monday afternoon as traders feared possible violence during or after the Saba Saba rally at Uhuru Park. A number of traders opened for businesses in the morning but soon shut their premises as shoppers also stayed away. “We came here early in the morning but we are tense. We are likely to have the shop opened up to around 1pm when they start those meetings at Uhuru Park. But for now we are here,” said an electronics shop attendant on Standard Street in Nairobi. There was minimal traffic in the Central Business District and many parking slots remained empty. “I had closed my business on Saturday and Sunday. So there is no way I will close it again today and it’s not a holiday. But for sure our sales will be down but we leave that to God. What we will get is what belongs to us,” said a newspaper vendor whose a majority of customers are motorists. There were no ugly incidents reported in the city centre by mid afternoon. Earlier on Monday, anti-riot police at Uhuru Park were forced to fire tear gas at CORD supporters who hurled stones at them. The minor fracas was prompted by youths who said some of their colleagues had been arrested while trying to gain access to Uhuru Park. “I did not go to Uhuru Park because what will I get at the end of the day when I go home? I will be absent with an apology,” said an employee in one of the shops on Mama Ngina street

Areas to avoid during the 'SABASABA SEASON'

Security agents have listed violence hotspots around the country ahead of CORD’s Saba Saba rally. While assuring that security apparatus has been put in place to ensure peaceful rally on Monday, Interior Principal Secretary Mutea Iringo identified the Nairobi CBD, Dandora, Mathare, Mukuru, Kibera, Chokaa, Baba Dogo, Embakasi, Njiru and Kayole as the major hotspots of insecuritY. Reports indicate that tight measures have been taken to bolster security in areas such as Shanzu, Mishomoroni, Vikwatani, Kongowea market, Kiembeni and Majaoni. Iringo’s comments come a few hours after a gang of suspected MRC members launched attacks in Lamu and Tana River counties in the Coastal region, killing over 22 people. Police in Kisumu, Naivasha and Nakuru are also on high alert following recent rumours of hate leaflets that have sent multitudes of panic-stricken residents into hiding for fear of ethnic violence. CORD have so far assured of a peaceful rally and allayed public fears of possible bloodshed. The government has deployed 15 000 police officers to secure Nairobi during the rally. All attendants of the rally will go through thorough security checks to ensure that peace prevails in the city. - For more details visit Daily Nation