Gaitho has observed, however, that any police contingent near Raila as he traversed the estates was extremely cautious and appeared restrained around him, not using the typical force to disperse the crowd.
He observed that their efforts were limited to a few teargas canisters and water cannons, most likely as a result of directives from their superiors not to attempt to use live ammunition around him in order to prevent potential casualties.
"To their credit, the authorities were unusually cautious. They did not charge the crowds with truncheons or discharge live ammunition. They were clearly instructed to exercise restraint around Mr. Odinga and his team, despite having arrested some of his key supporters earlier in the day before the actual action began, the former Special Projects Managing Director of the Daily Nation writes in the paper. Mr. Gaitho asserts that the truth is that Raila remains unassailable, possibly due to the support he commands, which causes even the government to fear harming him.
According to him, any direct assault on Raila would have been detrimental to the government, as it would have given him another reason to turn Kenyans against it; hence the police's restraint.
Gaitho has stated that the same factors prevented the police from arresting him, despite the fact that some of his allies were captured.
"Mr. Odinga is unassailable despite the threats of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome." "Any arrest or violence perpetrated against the opposition leader would play directly into his hands, as it would feed the narrative of an insecure and repressive government clamping down on fundamental liberties," he writes.
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