Bungoma police decline Azimio notice for Monday demonstrations

Police in Bungoma have turned down a notice by the county’s wing of opposition Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party declaring their intention to stage demonstrations on Monday March 27, 2023.

Bungoma Police Station OCS David Odongo, in a letter seen by Citizen Digital, said they resolved to decline the notice for security purposes.

According Mr. Odongo, security organs are in possession of intelligence pointing towards possible escalation of violence during the protests due to supposed counter attacks by rival groups.

The police boss hence urged the opposition team to postpone their demonstrations to another day to avoid this probable bloodshed.

 “I acknowledge receipt of your notice of intention to hold procession dated 23rd, March, 2023 within Bungoma township on 27th March, 2023 and climaxing with presentation of a memorandum to the Governor Bungoma County and finally to the County Commissioner Bungoma County,” he said.

“I wish to humbly inform you that the request has been declined due to security reasons; we have intelligence of counter attacks from other interested groups which may result into malicious damage to property and loss of lives. Therefore, you're humbly advised to reschedule the demonstration to another day.

Mr. Odongo further added that if the opposition team proceeds with the planned picketing, then they will be arrested and prosecution since they will have acted in contravention of the Constitution.

He however urged them to go ahead and present their grievances to the county assembly as they had wished, from where they shall then be forwarded to the Governor.

“Engaging in the demonstration will be considered as contravention of Section 5 (6) of the Public Order Act Cap 56 LOK and the procession shall be dispersed immediately and the organizers arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” stated the OCS.

“However, I wish to advise you to present the memorandum to the county assembly of Bungoma, Committee for Justice and Legal Affairs for onward transmission to the Governor or the officials themselves can peacefully present the same to Governor and to the County Commissioner.”

However, the team led by the demonstration organizer Martin Wanyonyi, said the protests will still continue as planned because they want the government to lower the cost of living among many other things that they will reportedly address on the said day.