Kenya opposition leader claims ‘assassination’ attempt

Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga claimed that his car was shot at seven times on Thursday during anti-government protests and said it was an attempt on his life.

In a media briefing, Mr Odinga said police targeted his vehicle and those of other opposition leaders during a protest procession in the Eastlands part of the capital, Nairobi.

He also accused police of targeting journalists during the anti-government protests and claimed there were plans to attack the offices of the leading Royal Media Services group in Nairobi.

Mr Odinga criticised the international community for allegedly ignoring human rights abuses by the authorities during the protests.

He said the opposition would hold a major protest on 3 April to pressure the government to lower the cost of living and carry out electoral reforms, among other demands.

Six journalists were injured during Thursday’s protests, raising the number of media practitioners wounded to 22 since the demos began last week.

“The United States is deeply concerned by recent reports of attacks against journalists. Protecting press freedom and safety is a cornerstone of democracy,” ambassador Meg Whitman tweeted on Friday morning.