Kenya Protests: I am against riot, destruction of public property, Obi declares

Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, says he is not in support of riots and destruction of property but a well-articulated and organised peaceful protest targeted at Nigerian leadership.

The former Anambra governor made this statement in an interview with journalists over the weekend in Onitsha, Anambra, against the backdrop of the anti-Finance Bill in Kenya.

When asked if Nigerians were docile despite economic hardship compared to Kenyans who opposed the bill raising taxes, Mr Obi said, “I’m against riots. I’m against destruction of government property. Because that is the same scarce resource we will  use to repair them.”

Mr Obi added, “I’m not against peaceful protest. But it must be for reason and not for interest. Often times here you see protests being to satisfy particular interest. It must be properly articulated and properly directed,” Mr Obi said.

“I recall when people were saying they were protesting against police or any other organisation of the government. I said to them, no. If we have good leadership, their agents can’t be bad. But what happened here is, Nigerians say, our problem is police, our problem is EFCC, our problem is ICPC, our problem is army. No.

“The problem is leadership. If leaders are competent, have capacity and doing the right the agents will fall in line. That is what want. I want to see these things that are properly organised.”

Mr Obi’s comments came amid ongoing demonstrations across Kenya, sparked by the proposed imposition of a tax on cars, phones, bread, sanitary pads, and other commodities.

Over 20 have been killed in the protests that have lasted for two weeks, forcing President William Ruto to withdraw the controversial bill.