IG Koome’s Police Directive: No Notice, No Demos!
On Tuesday, July 11, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome declared illegal the anti-government demonstrations planned by Azimio la Umoja for Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 12.
Koome stated in a statement that the demonstrations were illegal and that the police would respond firmly to any attempt to conduct them.
As required by the Constitution, according to Koome, the Azimio la Umoja coalition and other groups intending to take to the streets that day failed to notify the police and request security support.
“It has come to the attention of the National Police Service through the media that on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, there will be public demonstrations/protests/gatherings across the country.
“While Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of assembly, picketing, and petitioning, our statistics for this year show that such demonstrations have not only resulted in the death of innocent members of the public and law enforcement officers but have also left behind a trail of massive destruction of property worth millions of Shillings,” IG Koome said.
Consequently, he guaranteed that the police would be deployed to prevent any violence or disruption of public order if the coalition headed by Raila Odinga defied the order to cease the demonstrations.
ALSO READ: President Ruto Urges Azimio to Spare Kenyans from Protests: “Give Them a Break!”
“Therefore, and in the interest of national security, the National Police Service wishes to inform the public that in the absence of notifications by planners of any demonstrations, which is a legal requirement for police to provide adequate security to demonstrators and the public, police have no choice but to disperse all illegal demonstrations.
“Tomorrow, no such demonstrations/gatherings/protests will be permitted, as no such notification has been presented to any police station. Koome ordered that all legal means be used to disperse such demonstrations.
The Azimio la Umoja coalition called for protests at the SKM Centre in Nairobi against the escalating cost of living and the government’s economic policies.
Raila, who launched Tumechoka website, a signature collection portal, claimed that Ruto’s administration had disregarded the complaints voiced about the Finance Act 2023 and strayed from the people’s will.
“Having read and understood the intention of the initiative’s promoters, I hereby support the Citizens’ initiative to remove Mr. William Ruto as President and Mr. Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” tumechoka.com implores.
IG Koome’s Police Directive: No Notice, No Demos!
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