Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki now claims that the Raila Odinga-led opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition opted to suspend its planned anti-government demonstrations after the State issued a stern warning on the same.
Speaking on Tuesday in Elgeyo Marakwet County during a security baraza, Kindiki sought to make it clear that the government will not renege on its promise to protect the properties and livelihoods of Kenyans despite the opposition calling off the planned protests.
The Interior CS added that any person found engaging in destructive behaviour, looting, damaging property or causing loss of life under the pretense of the demos will be met with severe consequences.
“Wakati walikuja kuanza kisirani saa kumi na moja, wakakuta tulikuja saa saba ya usiku tunawangojea. Hiyo siku tatu wameona cha mtema kuni. Hawatajaribu tena. Walikaakaa wakatangaza ingine kesho, tukawaambia kujeni, sasa wameingia kwa nyasi,” he said.
“Nataka ijulikane, Kenya hii hatutakubali mtu yeyote kujificha kwa siasa, kabila, dini kuvuruga amani ya wananchi. We will not accept, ata ukiwa nani, it doesn’t matter your status.”
While assessing the progress of the ongoing construction of the Tangul-Kamologon forest road, a critical security route in the region, CS Kindiki urged politicians to refrain from dealing in arms lest they face the full force of the law.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich, on his part, urged the State to bring the organisers of the said demos to book to prevent such incidents from occurring in future.
Kindiki had on Monday told Kenyans to expect what he described as a more vicious police operation during the opposition’s anti-government protests that were initially set for Wednesday before being postponed.
“Let people do the politics and whatever they want peacefully and in a civil manner; looting, theft, robbery and crime will not be permitted. We cannot relent on that bit,” he told a security baraza in Baringo.
“Last week’s operation during those three days was very small, this time round we will be even more vicious.”
Azimio announced that it had suspended the protests, stating that instead of taking to the streets, they will hold “solidarity parades and vigil for victims of police brutality in various locations in all parts of the country.”
The coalition called on its supporters to come out and light candles and lay flowers for the victims of police brutality during previous demos.
“Azimio has made the decision that on Wednesday, rather than go to the streets for a peaceful demonstration as earlier announced, we will hold solidarity parades and vigil for victims of police brutality in various locations in all parts of the country,” Azimio said in a statement to newsrooms on Monday.
