Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has issued directives to #rejectfinancebill2024 protesters ahead of their planned demonstrations on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Speaking on Monday, June 24, Kindiki said Kenyans have a Constitutional right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to authorities.
Kindiki explained that the enjoyment of the right should however nor prejudice the rights and freedoms of others.
“Those exercise the Article 37 right to assemble and picket must do so under the Constitutional and legal parameters,” he said.
Kindiki said the protesters must remain peaceful and unarmed throughout the assembly, picketing and presentation of any petition.
The CS stated that protesters must engage in a manner that does not incite violence or cause riots, emphasizing that Article 37 guarantees the right to demonstrate, not to riot.
“They must not disrupt public order or intimidate, harass, or inconvenience members of the public who are not participating in protests,” he added.
Kindiki stated that protesters must inform the police of their intent to picket, including the routes and timings of their activities.
“They must stop their activities at sunset or 6:30pm, whichever is earlier, in accordance with the Public Order Act, Cap 57 of the laws of Kenya,” he said.
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Protesters to Notify Police
Additionally, the CS said the protesters must not provoke, attack, injure it obstruct law enforcement officer and members of the public.Top of Form
He explained that the protesters must follow escort and other guidelines issued by the police to ensure they are protected from non-protesters, infiltrators and remain orderly.
“They must not obstruct, vandalize, block or otherwise destroy any private or public property,” he said.
He emphasized that protesters must adhere to the laws of Kenya including the Protected Areas Act that limits access to certain critical infrastructure for national security reasons.
Kindiki said the police will guide the demonstrators in the areas they can’t access by the operations of the law.
“They must not access critical assets for the supply of power, water or other social amenities in a manner that is likely to interfere with the enjoyment of these amenities by members of the public,” Kindiki warned.
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Kindiki Warn Protesters Against Interference
Besides, he cautioned the protesters against interfering with any private activity of non-protesters, roads, rail, sea or the air transport.
Kindiki said the rule of law and public order must be maintained by all persons regardless of the issues or grievances at hand.
“For the avoidance of doubt, non-protesters and other members of the public who hold a contrary to that of protesters are bound by the same limitations. They must exercise their rights to disagree if at all in the same manner and circumstances, “he said.
The CS stated that the national security organs will remain neutral but firm in enforcing the laws of the country.
“No form of lawlessness is going to be entertained,” he said.
Kindiki said people have taken advantage of the protests in the past to destroy properties and interfere with the activities of other people.
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