The Interior CS Kithuri Kindiki issued a warning to the Azimio party against holding Wednesday demonstrations in Nairobi.
Raila Odinga, one of the Azimio leaders, called for follow-up protests on Wednesday. The protests are a platform to fight against the high taxes and aid the collection of signatures.
Kindiki pointed out that the government will not allow the demonstrations to occur. He pointed out that the demos preceding this planned one caused harm to Kenyans. According to him, the demonstrations were characterized by violence and mayhem which left people hurt and a few dead.
He blamed the opposition party for all the chaos that has been caused and regarded the demonstrations as unconstitutional.
“The constitution allows for picketing and agitation for rights. It does not give permission to hold violent demonstrations. If you are protesting against the high cost of living, go and talk about it peacefully then go home,” the CS said.
“We will not allow people to destroy property and threaten Kenyans with violence, leading to death. If that is your intention, come very early in the morning and we will deal with you firmly, decisively and with finality,” the CS said.
The CS was speaking at Igoji, Imenti South in Meru County during the installation of the deputy commissioner for the Igoji sub-county.
He went further to mention that the opposition was exercising political extremism. He warned that no one was above the law and the politicians would be treated as terrorists, bandits and other criminals.
Mbeere North MP, Geoffrey Ruku said that the Bill he plans to introduce in parliament will tame violent demonstrations. He further mentioned that the law is aimed at holding the organisers accountable for the property destroyed during protests. He urged the Kenya Kwanza MPs to turn up in large numbers when the Bill is tabled.
The MPs further faulted Azimio’s move to collect signatures as a vote of no confidence in the current government. They mentioned that it is not provided in the constitution that a president could be impeached from signature collection.