The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination, Kithure Kindiki, has issued a stern warning to Kenyans planning to participate.
The protests, set for Tuesday, have been organized by young Kenyans in response to their frustrations with the government’s economic policies.
In a public address, Cabinet Secretary Kindiki emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble, picket, and present petitions.
“The government will respect the constitutional right of anyone to exercise their rights to picket, assemble, or present petitions,” he affirmed. However, he stressed that these rights must be exercised within certain boundaries to ensure public safety and order.
Kindiki made it clear that participants must maintain peace throughout the demonstrations.
“They must remain peaceful throughout the process of assembling and petitioning. They must also engage in a manner that does not promote violence,” he noted.
This statement underscores the government’s stance on preventing any form of violence or disruption during the protests.
Additionally, Kindiki highlighted the procedural requirements for organizing such protests.
He stated that those intending to take part must inform the police of their plans, ensuring that the authorities are aware and can provide the necessary security and oversight.
This requirement aims to facilitate orderly and safe demonstrations.
Despite the significant public interest, Cabinet Secretary Kindiki declined to answer questions from the media, indicating that a more detailed briefing would be scheduled at a later date.
His remarks come at a time when Kenyan youth have vowed to hold massive protests across the country on Tuesday, using the demonstrations as a platform to voice their discontent with the government’s handling of financial matters.
The protest schedule, which has been widely circulated online, indicates that the demonstrations will commence in the morning, with young people from various towns across the country participating.
Statements issued in different churches on Sunday highlighted the widespread support for the protests among the youth.
In a related development, several prominent activists and leaders involved in organizing the protests have been arrested.
Among them are Boniface Mwangi, a well-known activist; Hussein Khalid, Director of HAKI Africa; and Hanifa Adan.
These arrests have sparked further concerns about the government’s approach to handling dissent and the potential for escalating tensions.
Human rights defenders have also raised alarms over possible internet and mass media disruptions during the protests.
They argue that any such actions would constitute a gross violation of fundamental rights.
The fear is that restricting access to information could further inflame the situation and impede the public’s ability to stay informed about the events as they unfold.
As the country braces for the protests, the government’s message is clear: while the right to protest is respected, it must be exercised peacefully and within the framework of the law.
The coming days will be critical in determining how the protests unfold and how the government responds to the demonstrators’ demands.
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