MP Ruku says he will withdraw Bill seeking to give gov’t power to suppress protests

Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku has resolved to withdraw a proposed law he has sponsored seeking to have the government regulate public demonstrations and protests.

The Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024 seeks to spell out the conduct of an assembly or demonstration and outline prohibitions during the event.

These include imposing conditions relating to public order, safety and protection of freedom of persons.

In a post on his X account on Thursday, Ruku said “I have heard the voice of Kenyans and therefore decided to withdraw the Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024.”

“I will officially be writing to the Speaker of the National Assembly to withdraw the Bill.”

The Bill had already sparked anger from a section of Kenyans over concerns it would restrict peaceful demonstrations as guaranteed in Article 37 of the constitution.

In his argument, Ruku said the proposed law was based on “the need to give effect to Article 37 of the Constitution and to enhance the safety and security of the protestors, non-protestors and businesses.”

“However, I have agreed with the will of Kenyans that the bill be withdrawn,” the MP said on Thursday.

Per Ruku’s proposed law, anyone who plans an assembly or demonstration shall notify authorities at least three days but not more than 14 days before the event.

The Bill gives the police power to prevent demonstrators from changing locations or deviating from the route specified when seeking approval.

It requires the demonstration organiser or agent to be present throughout the assembly or demonstration and assist the police in maintaining peace and order.

The Bill further gives the police power to stop or prevent demonstrations “held contrary to the provisions of the proposed law, or any that poses a present or imminent danger of a breach of the peace or public order.”

Anyone who participates in unpermitted demonstrations faces up to a year in prison or a Ksh.100,000 fine or both.

Additionally, the Bill lists the code of conduct for demonstrations, whereby banners, placards, speech or singing deemed to incite hatred on account of differences in culture, race, sex, language or religion is outlawed.

“Perform[ing] any act or utter any words that are calculated or likely to cause or encourage violence against any person or group of persons,” the Bill states.

Other things the proposed legislation seeks to outlaw are wearing masks or anything that obscures a protester’s face, clothes that resemble police and defence forces uniforms, and possessing weapons.

Ruku’s announcement came just a day after President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that he would not assent to the contentious Finance Bill 2024 as a result of mounting public pressure.

The Finance Bill proposed increased taxation as Ruto’s government sought to raise an additional Ksh.346.7 billion in revenue for the 2024/25 budget.

It however sparked nationwide demonstrations which turned deadly as police fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at protesters, killing over 22, per Kenya National Commission on Human Rights figures released on Wednesday.

Over 300 others were injured and 50 more arrested, several of who were abducted by suspected police officers and held incommunicado, only to be released after public uproar.