The government has banned demonstrations in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, amidst the ongoing anti-IEBC demos in the country. While addressing the press at Harambee House in Nairobi, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said the constitution outlines the demonstrations shouldn’t infringe on the rights of Kenyans, “We have noted with concern the escalation of lawlessness, breach of peace and public order during the demonstrations organized by NASA in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Siaya, and Nairobi,” said Matiang’i.
The CS said the government will do everything possible for peace and tranquility in the country to prevail by protecting Kenyans, saying a national security advisory committee meeting led to the decision to ban the demos, “In accordance with section five of the public order act, due to the disruption of order, the government notifies the public that for the time being, we will not allow demonstrations within the CBDs of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu,” he said, adding that he will gazette regulations that define public demonstrations.
However, Matiang’i reiterated that the government has no intention of clawing back the rights of Kenyans to peacefully demonstrate, “Demonstrations are allowed, it’s your right as a citizen to peacefully demonstrate. However, there is a framework on how it should be done,” he said, “You can’t take advantage and destroy the property of innocent people who are going about their daily activities.”