Acting IG Bans Thursday Demos in Some Areas, Exposes Criminal Groups
Acting IG Bans Thursday Demos in Nairobi CBD and its environs citing difficulty in enforcing safety protocols due to leaderless approach of protesters
The Statement Read;
Since the public demonstrations by Kenyan youths (Gen Z) began in June this year, our country has experienced enormous losses; people have been injured, lives lost, property and businesses destroyed, and livelihoods lost.
Criminals have continued to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of disorderly and destructive conduct.
While the Constitution under Article 37 provides for the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to picket, to demonstrate and to present petitions to public authorities, the Constitution equally provides for the critical role that the National Police Service plays in the national security of our country.
In keeping with our Constitutional role and in the interest of national security, we wish to inform the public that we have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks including looting.
Acting on this information and in accordance with international security standards for public assemblies, which require a designated leader to coordinate, collaborate and cooperate with police for peaceful demonstrations, the lack of designated leadership in previous demonstrations has made it difficult to enforce safety protocols.
As a result, no demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety.
We therefore appeal to all members of the public to remain vigilant in crowded areas, and to support our collective safety and security by sharing any information that may aid the Police in crime detection and prevention.
As a Service, we wish to reiterate our commitment to partner with members of public and media to keep our country safe and secure for all of us.
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