The government has warned Kenyans planning to hold protests Tuesday, against the Finance Bill 2024, not to engage in violence.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki told all those planning to picket that they must remain peaceful and unarmed throughout their assembly, demonstration, picket or presentation of petitions noting that they should not engage in violence or riots.
While warning demonstrators over breaching public peace he also noted that they should not intimidate or harass non protesters.
He said it is the constitutional right of every person, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to authorities.
Adding that: “According to Article 24(1)(d) of the Constitution of Kenya, this right, as all other fundamental rights, is only limited by, inter alia, the need to ensure the enjoyment of the right does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others.”
Picketers have been asked to inform the Police of their intended routes and timings, call off their activities at 6.30pm and not provoke, attack or obstruct law enforcement officers or other members of the public.
He said all those holding protests should follow the escort and guidelines of law enforcement officers to ensure orderly conduct and asked them not to obstruct traffic of any kind as well as not obstruct, block or vandalise any private or public property.
The CS said demonstrators should adhere to the laws of Kenya, including the Protected Areas Act (Cap 204) and the Public Order Act (Cap 57) of the Laws of Kenya and should not interfere with public and private activities or road, rail, sea or air transport Whatever the issues, whichever the grievances, whatever the matter, the rule of law and public order must be maintained by all.
“Non protesters and those who hold contrary views with the protesters are also bound by the same Constitutional and legal imperatives. National security organs of the Republic of Kenya shall remain neutral, apolitical and firmly enforce the law and will not entertain lawlessness of any description whatsoever.” He said.
