Proposed Legislation Aims to Regulate Demonstrations and Hold Protesters Accountable for Property Damage
If a new legislation called The Assembly and Demonstration Bill 2024 passes, both protest organizers and individual participants could be held financially responsible for any property damage that occurs during the protests.
The main aim of the bill is to regulate the behavior of demonstrators, emphasizing that they should express their grievances peacefully without causing harm to others’ property.
Instances of protests escalating into violence in the past have led to significant financial losses for businesses due to looting and destructive actions by some demonstrators.
One provision of the bill states that all organizations and individuals involved in a protest where property damage occurs will be held accountable for the damages collectively.
Additionally, the bill intends to prohibit protestors from using banners, placards, speeches, or songs that could incite hatred based on factors such as culture, race, sex, language, or religion.
Protestors will also be required to have their faces fully visible, without any masks or disguises that could obstruct law enforcement’s ability to identify them.
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Wearing attire resembling security forces’ uniforms, including those of the police and Kenya Defence Forces, will also be banned during protests.
Carrying offensive weapons during protests will be outlawed under the proposed legislation.
Organizers of assemblies and demonstrations will need written permits from the police to hold such events.
It will be mandatory for organizers to have marshals and, in some cases, police presence to maintain peace and order during protests.
The bill empowers police officers above the rank of Inspector to intervene and prevent demonstrations from occurring if necessary.
Participating in or organizing an unlawful assembly or demonstration would be considered a criminal offense under Chapter IX of the Penal Code, punishable by up to one year in prison, as per the proposed legislation.
Proposed Legislation Aims to Regulate Demonstrations and Hold Protesters Accountable for Property Damage