Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has issued a statement ahead of the planned mass demonstration scheduled for Monday, March 20.
Addressing the media on Sunday, March 19, Raila said the protesters will meet at Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) before the demonstrations begin.
“I’m calling on all Kenyans of goodwill to wake up very early in the morning and gather at the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD),” Raila said.
The opposition leader further asked police officers from Nairobi not to deny protesters their right to assembly.
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“The mass action is your right, and there is no one who should by any means take that right from you,” Raila said.
The Azimio leader was responding to the National Police Service who declared Monday’s demonstration illegal, stating that the notification of the protests by the Raila led outfit was made late.
“We received two requests from Azimio and Nairobi business community to hold protests tomorrow. One late in the evening and the other this morning.
“Both did not meet the legal threshold and were thus declined and the same was communicated to them in writing,” Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei said.
Bungei further said that access to the State House can only happen with express authority as informed by the law on access to restricted areas.
“We caution anyone that breaks the law or breach peace during the procession shall be dealt with according to the law,” Bungei warned.
While taking questions from the media on Saturday, March 18, Raila noted that only a few emissaries from the opposition political outfit will be sent to State House and not all protesters.
“We are people who respect and know the law. Our leader Wycliffe Oparanya wrote to the Inspector General of Police informing him that we would hold a rally.
“Those who will be able to come to Nairobi will come to Nairobi and those unable will hold their meetings wherever they will be,” Bungei said.
