There Will Be No Protests Today Details Emerge

A fierce clash looms on Wednesday between police and supporters of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Opposition Coalition which is set to stage anti-government protests across the country on Wednesday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said leaders of the Azimio coalition led by Raila Odinga have not presented any official notification to the police on the planned demos, hence the gatherings will be considered illegal.

The Police IG has therefore vowed to use “all lawful means” to disperse any gatherings that will take place on Wednesday.

“…in the interest of national security, the National Police Service wishes to inform the public that in the absence of notifications by planners of any demonstrations as a legal prerequisite to enable Police provide adequate security to demonstrators and the public, Police have no other option but to take necessary measures to disperse all illegal demonstrations,” said Koome.

He added: “In this regard, no such demonstrations/gatherings/protests will be allowed tomorrow since no such notification has been presented to any police station. All lawful means will be used to disperse such demonstrations.”

Meanwhile, President Ruto has also fired a warning shot  at the opposition, vowing not to allow any violent protests that pose a threat to the lives of Kenyans.

Speaking in Ruai on Tuesday, the president pointed out that six deaths were reported from Saba Saba protests last week, adding that he will not condone the death of any Kenyan over an individual’s political satisfaction.

“Walifanya maandamano Ijumaa, na waKenya wasita wakapoteza maisha yao. Mnataka maandamano ingine ifanyike, maisha mengine yapotezwe? It will not happen,” said Ruto.

The anti-government protests are expected to take place in key parts of the country with senior members of the Azimio coalition being dispatched to lead the demonstrations at the grassroots level.

The protests, according to the Azimio coalition, are part of pushing President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua out of office on grounds that they have failed to prioritise the plight of Kenyans and instead instituted punitive taxation laws.

Odinga who held a public engagement meeting at the Kenyatta market in Nairobi on Tuesday has urged Kenyans irrespective of their political affiliation to come out in large numbers on Wednesday and join the protests.

Last Friday’s Saba Saba protests were staged in various parts of the country including Nairobi, Kisumu, Migori, Homa Bay, Mombasa, Kisii, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Meru and Nyahururu.