The national vice chairperson of the Communist Party of Kenya and one of the organisers of the protests against President William Ruto’s government, Booker Omole, was barred from travelling while preparing to board a flight to China at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Kenya.
“The immigration at JKIA has frozen me, literally banning me from travelling. We don’t have a government anymore, just a bunch of criminals,” Omole wrote on his X account on Saturday afternoon.
“The immigration is detaining me to hand me over to the Kenya police! I only hope they are not kidnapping me.”
Five hours later, Omole announced that he had been released under section 56 of the Police Act. He said the government has confiscated his travel documents, including his passport. He was also charged with inciting violence.
Reacting to the events, the Communist Party of Kenya said, “These frivolous charges of incitement to violence are not just annoying but unnecessary harassment.
“We shall hold President Ruto personally culpable,” the party added.
His party said Omole was about to board a flight to China before he was detained. He was taken to the Central Police station afterwards.
In June 2024, Kenyans began a nationwide protest against Ruto’s proposed tax hike bill, a bill which he later withdrew due to pressure from the massive protests. Later, Kenyans protested against Ruto, demanding his resignation with the hashtag #RutoMustGo. The protests turned bloody, with several Kenyans killed by security operatives.
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