Protest Gathering Today in Nairobi CBD
The Social Justice Working Group (SJWG), comprising human rights advocates, declared their intention to carry out protests against the exorbitant cost of living. This decision comes even though the police have refused to authorize permits for these demonstrations.
Activists restated their intention to hold demonstrations in the Nairobi Central Business District on Monday, August 7th, starting at 1 p.m. They also called upon the police to ensure safety during the event while they submit their petitions to public officials.
The activists plan to stage demonstrations on various streets, including Muindi Mbingu Street, Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue, and Parliament Road.
“We are appealing to your office to accord us security,” the group requested in the letter addressed to Nairobi County police commander Adamson Bungei.
Why Police Opposed the Protests
OCS Moses Mutayi of the Central Police Station contended that the activists had organized comparable demonstrations on June 6 and July 7, without adhering to the legal requirement of informing the regulating officer in advance.
He further claimed that the demonstrations resulted in property damage, and there were also instances where the police sustained injuries during the confrontations that followed.
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“The regulating officer thus informs you that your demonstrations will not be allowed to be conducted on the said time and place for security concerns,” OCS Mutayi declined to grant The Social Justice Working Group permission to demonstrate in the City.
Their Right to Picket
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) criticized the OCS for obstructing SJWG’s ability to organize peaceful gatherings.
The independent National Human Rights Institution also accused Mutayi of asserting that the organization had previously conducted protests without proper authorization.
“KNCHR has reviewed the reasons you have given to disallow the SJWG event tomorrow and is of the considered view that they do not meet the reasonable and justifiable basis required by Art.24 of the Constitution,” the Commission stated.
Accordingly, the KNCHR requested confirmation from the Central Police Station that the protesters would receive protection and be permitted to peacefully picket and demonstrate.
The scheduled demonstrations are set to take place one day after President Wiliam Ruto cautioned opposition leaders that the government would engage in discussions focused on reducing the cost of living only if they agreed to cancel the protests.
Nevertheless, the opposition was unwavering in their stance that they would take to the streets again if the negotiations did not progress or were disrupted.
Protest Gathering Today in Nairobi CBD
