The interior CS Kithure Kindiki has released a statement on the Gov’t position on the planned Azimio-OKA mass action and holiday declared by Raila Odinga.
Kindiki says the Government reiterates its commitment to respect, protect and promote all fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.
In so doing, the CS details, security agencies shall respect Article 37 of the Constitution which guarantees the right of every person, peaceably demonstrate, picket, and to present petitions to public and unarmed, to assemble, authorities.
Kindiki note that the same Constitution however limits enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms to ensure protection of the rights and freedoms of others and to promote broader societal interests including public order, safety and morality.
For every right or freedom guaranteed in the Constitution, there is a corresponding obligation criminalizing violation of the rights or freedoms of others. Your rights or freedoms end where the rights or freedoms of others start.
In exercise of their rights or freedoms, no one may engage in threats, lawlessness, violence, destruction of property or obstruction of activities of other people or in any other way infringe on the rights or freedoms of others.
The responsibility to ensure that assemblers, protestors, picketers and petitioners are peaceable, unarmed and orderly is on the organizers and leaders of the activity.
The National Police Service in discharge of its mandate of protection of life and property, maintenance of law and order and preservation of peace shall ensure no life or property is lost or destroyed by people exercising their rights under Article 37 or any other provision of the Constitution.
In balancing the rights of those invoking Article 37 with the rights of the rest of Kenyans, security agencies shall enforce the Constitution firmly, decisively and resolutely with no regard for political persuasion or social standing of those involved.
It is hereby notified for information of the general public that pursuant to the Protected Areas Act (CAP 204 of the Laws of Kenya), security agencies shall prevent unauthorized access to all protected areas.
Kindiki continue to say tha he Government assures the public of their safety and advises everyone to continue with their activities uninterrupted and allow security agencies to discharge their mandate of maintaining law and order.
Monday 20th March 2023 is a normal working day. Al week day activities including learning in schools and other educational institutions shall proceed normaly.
Any person who incites public disorder or otherwise breaches the peace in any part of the Republic of Kenya shall be prosecuted.
