The Ministry of Interior has announced that the government will declare official protest zones amid the ongoing countrywide protests that have entered the fourth week.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration said that police will be issuing advisories on official protest zones and areas of deployment to ensure and enhance peaceful conduct of peaceful gatherings.
Advisories on contact persons who should be reached following notification by organizers and areas cordoned off shall also be issued.
“To improve public communication and in line with the Public Order Act, police will be issuing advisories on areas of deployment, official protest zones, areas cordoned off and contact persons to be reached following notification by organizers to enhance and ensure the peaceful conduct of public gatherings,” read part of the statement.
Business and private building owners guarding their property on the other hand were urged to liaise with the area police for orderly management of security.
Interior Ministry Issues Directive on Countrywide Protests
For organizers, the Interior ministry directed that they must notify police of their intentions ahead of any planned public gatherings.
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“Organizers of public gatherings should also notify the police of their intentions, including location of their activities. The Ministry respects and uphold citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms expressed in a lawful and peaceful manner,” added the Ministry.
The Ministry highlighted that the prevailing security situation in the country can be owed to acts of lawlessness arising from infiltration of peaceful demonstrations.
Further, the government maintained that more security personnel have been deployed in hotspots and areas where security for critical infrastructure is prioritized.
Police Conduct
While addressing concerns raised about police conduct, the ministry said that police are guided by the National Police Service Act which prohibits the use of excessive force in the execution of their duties.
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However, it also highlighted Section 49 of the Police Service Act which allows the security officers to use force only when it is necessary and to the extent required in the execution of their duties.
“Security agencies are under instruction to exercise restraint during peaceful protests and use of non-lethal force to ensure public safety. The police can indeed be compelled to use reasonable force when isolated and specific scenarios of protests escalate to criminalities including rioting, looting and burning of properties, disruption of traffic through erection of roadblocks on major highways and invasion of critical and protected infrastructure,” the statement adds.
In the interest of the public, the Ministry said that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has the power to investigate and recommend the prosecution of police officers involved in misconduct and unlawful acts.
It revealed that IPOA is already conducting independent investigations into several allegations of alleged police. misconduct, killings and reported enforced disappearances.
Anyone aggrieved by police actions was further welcomed to seek redress through our established criminal justice system, including the courts.
Office of the Coroner General
At the same time, the Ministry has recommended to President William Ruto to initiate the process of establishing the Coroner General’s Office which will ensure accountability and transparency in cases of suspicious deaths.
“The Ministry has recommended to His Excellency, the President, to initiate the process of establishing the Coroner General’s Office as per the National Coroners Service Act 2017 to investigate deaths, including those resulting from police action. The Coroner General’s Office will also ensure accountability and transparency in cases of suspicious deaths,” the statement adds.
A National Multi Agency Command to coordinate the security operations has been established, according to the Ministry.
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