Summary
- Protesters in Nairobi are calling for major reforms to enhance good governance, prompting heightened security measures.
- Police have deployed anti-riot units and roadblocks around key locations to prevent potential violence and looting by criminal gangs.
- Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli assured the public of sufficient personnel to manage the protests and urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and comply with the law.
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| Anti-Riot Police |
In response to calls for major reforms to enhance good governance, anti-riot police were deployed around State House in Nairobi and other State Lodges. On Thursday morning, newly appointed Cabinet Secretaries, their families, and friends underwent thorough security checks as they headed to the State House for the planned swearing-in ceremony.
Additional personnel erected roadblocks on highways leading to the city as a precaution against potential threats. Although police do not anticipate large crowds, they are paying particular attention to towns around Nairobi, including Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, Machakos, Githurai, Juja, Ruiru, Waiyaki Way, Roysambu, and other surrounding areas, where criminal gangs may exploit the situation to attack and loot.
Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli stated that enough personnel have been deployed to address these threats. The deployment, planned over several days, will cover major towns. He urged all to remain peaceful if they choose to protest and assured that the police would deal with any criminal activity.
Witnesses reported movements of anti-riot personnel on the Nairobi-Namanga and Nairobi-Nakuru highways, which have previously been disrupted by protests, affecting crucial traffic flow. As a precaution, most higher learning institutions have postponed planned examinations.
Police commanders were summoned to Nairobi to strategize on addressing the protests. The plan focuses on dispersing any gatherings. In Nairobi, anti-riot teams were deployed early in the morning, with most shops remaining closed by 7:30 am as few people entered the city.
On Wednesday, Masengeli warned that the planned anti-government demonstrations, dubbed '#NaneNaneMarch,' could be infiltrated by criminals, posing a security threat. He assured that adequate security personnel have been mobilized to handle any situation and advised the public to exercise caution in crowded areas that might turn riotous.
He emphasized that police would not hesitate to engage those intent on causing chaos while asserting the citizens' right to peaceful demonstration. Masengeli referenced past protests that started peacefully but turned violent due to infiltration by looters.
He highlighted that while citizens have the right to demonstrate and hold public processions, Article 24 (1) (d) of the Constitution mandates that these rights should not infringe on the rights and freedoms of others. He urged the public to be vigilant and cautioned against trespassing on protected land like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and State House.
Masengeli reminded citizens of their responsibility to keep the country safe and reiterated that planned protests should comply with the law. He addressed these issues during a media briefing at his office, outlining the police's plans to manage the protests.
Despite criticism of the police's handling of past protests, which resulted in over 60 deaths and 400 injuries, mostly attributed to police action, Masengeli urged officers to remain focused on their constitutional mandate to protect life and property and maintain law and order impartially.
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