Kisii County Police Commander has cancelled the planned demonstrations by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politicians and supporters in Kisii.

Speaking to journalists at the Kisii Central Police Station, Charles Kases the County Police Commander stated that two groups had issued notices informing the security agencies about their plans to hold demonstrations in Kisii CBD. 

According to the Commander, a group identified as the Gusii Governance Watch issued a notice communicating about the planned meeting in the same area ODM had communicated. 

Despite having filed their notices in line with the law as required, Kases affirmed that the two meetings cannot take place simultaneously citing the provisions of the Public Order Act.

“Section 5 subsection 4 of the Public Order Act. Two meeting cannot take place at the same time or place,” he spoke.

Two Kisii groups clash

The two groups notified the police that they were planning to hold protests in Kisii town following a recent raid at Arati’s offices in Nairobi.

According to the Police, one notice was dropped at Nyanchwa Police Station while the other was taken to the Kisii Central Police Station.

“I wish to make a brief statement concerning an application or notices that we received here at Nyanchwa police station and Kisii police station concerning notification to hold demonstrations within Kisii town.

The first notification that we received was on April 15 brought by an organization called Gusii Governance Watch,” he said.

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He further noted that they were given the go-ahead and pointed out that the notifications were within the statutory three days.

“They were intending to hold a demonstration from 19th for three weeks consecutively. The application was within statutory three days that one can make an application to hold a meeting or any demonstration. They were granted by the two OCSs both from Nyanchwa and Kisii police stations.”

Following the notifications, the commander decided to cancel the protests based on security reasons and to prevent any conflict between the protestors.

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“Upon analyzing both applications and due to security concerns, we have decided to cancel the first application from the Gusii Governance so that both protestors cannot harm each other and antagonize each other,” Charles said.

“So, both demonstrations stand cancelled for now and any demonstration that will take place will be treated as illegal demonstration.”

Simba Arati’s Woes

Earlier in the week, Simba Arati was alerted by his security personnel about plans to invade his private work premises.

Recounting the incident, Arati said he was in a meeting when a team of detectives stormed his office.

“I was at the Council of Governors meeting where we were discussing the issue of healthcare workers’ strike. My guard informed me that there were five police officers who had come to my office. They had an argument with my watchman, and they threatened to break into my office,” said Arati.

In another instance Arati had recorded a statement at the DCI offices on April 15, claiming that his life was in danger.

At the time, his lawyers claimed that the police were in cahoots with an unnamed politician to plant illegal firearms and stage his arrest.

“We have given a copy of that clip to the police where a CCIO in Kisii is recorded giving instructions and insights into how guns, firearms and other things are going to be planted on Governor Arati,” said James Orengo.