POLICE BLOCK KATIBA DAY PROTESTS IN NAIROBI AMID HEIGHTENED SECURITY
Nairobi police, on Tuesday, banned planned protests commemorating Katiba Day-a day marked by the 14th anniversary of the enactment of the 2010 Constitution.
Activists announced plans to hold protests against what they termed abuses of the supreme law, but police said they will not allow the demonstrations to take place in the city.
Dozens of officers were mobilized for the patrols, with regional commanders being instructed to prevent any unsanctioned protests.
This is as the security situation is heightened in Nairobi, where at least five presidents will arrive to attend the launch of a campaign for ODM leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the AUC position.
Security operations have since been beefed up in areas surrounding the venue, signaling heightened concern.
On Monday, protesters sought to take to the streets in the city ahead of Katiba Day, but their plans were thwarted sharply, leading to the arrest and detention of about 15 individuals, among them Prof Fred Ogolla.
The call for the observance of Katiba Day, however, appears to have rekindled something amongst Kenyans who have for the last couple of weeks given the government tough resistance in the midst of a lull following the not-so-popular Nanenane protests held on the 8th of August.
Booker Omolo, Chairman of the People’s Assembly, had said, “Tomorrow, 27th August Katiba Day will not only be a commemorative day but a mass action day.
We want the immediate resignation of President William Ruto.” And he was joined in that respect by Kasmuel Mcoure, the Peoples Assembly Spokesperson, “we invite the people to reflect on whether the Constitution has been respected.
Protesters from Generation Z and 54 other organizations will hold rallies across the country, demanding changes in corruption, unemployment among youths, and the high cost of living.
They also want the prosecution of victims from previous anti-government protests and a broad-based approach by the government declared unconstitutional.
Prof. Ogolla wondered aloud at those calling for patience: “Those telling us to give Ruto more time, tell us—more time to do what?
He knows what we want.” Again, Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei emphasized that the group did not notify the authorities of its plans and urged them to cancel the protests, saying, “We want peace in the city and other parts of the country at large.”
