The government is seeking to introduce legislation to restrict demonstrations, pickets, and petitions in the country in line with bi-weekly anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking on Sunday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the government will introduce regulations by passing subsidiary legislation through the government pursuant to the Public Order Act and the Statutory Instruments Act.
The proposed legislation is to provide legal ground around assemblies, demonstrations, and petitions, including plan procedures and duties of security agencies to protect the rights of those participating.
In efforts to ensure demonstrations and assemblies remain peaceful, consent requirements from persons whose activities are likely to be affected are other issues the government also seeks to legislate.
Also Read: Anti-Government Policies Protests Roiling on all Four Corners of Africa
The Interior CS said while every Kenyan has a right to demonstrate, picket and petition, non-demonstrators and third parties enjoy equal rights and freedoms during these activities since their fundamental rights and freedoms are not suspended during such activities.
“Presently, it is not feasible for security organs to allow masses of people to roam streets and neighborhoods of their choice carrying stones and other offensive weapons while chanting political slogans and disrupting the daily activities of others,” he said.
“Accordingly, law enforcement agencies shall not tolerate the reported plans to repeat the violent, chaotic and economically disruptive protests that took place in Nairobi and Kisumu on 20th March 2023 whatsoever.”
Kindiki’s announcement came hours ahead of Monday’s demonstration, which opposition leader Raila Odinga and affiliated leaders assured would be peaceful.