The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a warning against demonstrations planned by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party from Wednesday, July 19, to July 21, 2023.
In a statement, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said that the organisers of the protests have not notified the police “contrary to legal requirements”.
“While Article 37 of the Constitution gives the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket, lessons from recent similar demonstrations that left trails of destruction of property, injuries and loss of lives, clearly indicate that such demonstrations are nothing but a threat to national security,” Koome said.
“In line with NPS mandate to maintain law and order; protect life and property; and preserve peace, we wish to inform the public that any demonstrations that will be held in any part of Kenya on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 will be dealt with promptly in accordance with the law.”
PRESS STATEMENT ON PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS ON WEDNESDAY JULY 19, 2023 pic.twitter.com/TynzVHKJHq
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) July 18, 2023
Koome has urged Kenyans to go on with their daily activities, assuring them that the police will maintain law and order.
“The police urge all law-abiding members of the public to continue with their daily activities while assuring them of their commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining order,” the statement further said.
Last week, Azimio announced plans to intensify anti-government protests due to what it terms as overwhelming public demand.
In a statement, the opposition coalition said the demonstrations will be held thrice this week — on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday — a move that could cripple the country’s struggling economy.
On Monday, the High Court sitting in Nairobi refused to stop the demos. In a ruling, Justice Lawrence Mugambi ordered that the application and the petition be served within the next three days and responses to the petition and the application be filed within 10 days.
