Deputy Inspector General of Police (Administration) Noor Gabow has declared planned Azimio protests unlawful citing the tendency for opposition marches to turn violent.
Gabow cited recent Azimio protests which he argues have been “symptomatic of unacceptable trend of criminal incidents including wanton destruction of property, arson, robbery, looting, injuries to Officers, and even death of a Police Officer.”
He warned that the government will not allow any form of demos in the country arguing that it poses a grave threat to national security.
“In the interest of national security, we wish to notify the public that the planned demonstration or assembly is unlawful and affirm our earlier unequivocal statements condemning violent protests and the public attacks on Law Enforcement Officers on duty,” Gabow said in a statement he issued on behalf of the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome.
He pointed out that the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 under Article 37 stipulates that every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities.
The Public Order Management Act, 2012 regulates public gatherings by prohibiting offensive weapons at public meetings and processions hence the move to ban the Azimio demos.
The DIG stated that since the beginning of Azimio protests in 2022, security officers have responded with “utmost restraint despite the provocation by the illegal protestors against Police.”
He maintained that security agencies will execute their mandate without any fear or favor to ensure that peace is upheld in the country.
“We wish to reiterate our responsibility to maintain law and order; and enforce the law without fear or favor, strictly complying with the rule of law and respect for human rights,” he said.
Gabow made the statement a day after Nairobi County police boss Adamson Bungei announced that no protests will be allowed in the capital city.
Bungei cited previous violence, deaths, and destruction of property during protests as the reason for declining the Raila Odinga-led coalition’s request to stage protests on May 2.
While confirming that he received notification of Azimio’s intention to conduct public demonstrations within Nairobi County, Bungei said that whereas Article 37 of Kenya’s Constitution (2010) allows every citizen the right to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, and picket, “the right to assemble is not absolute under the Constitution.”
