Kindiki says gov't has not banned demos, warns Uhuru against derailing Ruto

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Sunday said the government has not banned public rallies so long as they are conducted within the law.

This follows a stern warning by both him and President William Ruto to the opposition Azimio La Umoja coalition party, which is preparing to stage anti-government demonstrations beginning Wednesday, that the government will not allow violent demonstrations to take place.

CS Kindiki through a statement on Twitter said while the government respects the constitutional right to demonstrate, it must stick to the confines of the constitution, including the stipulated time and devoid of violence.

"The government respects and upholds the constitution and all its provisions, including the freedom of association and assembly, the right to demonstrate, picket, and petition. The Government has not banned public rallies and gatherings. The public order act clearly allows such rallies to be held between 6am and 6pm. However, anyone planning to cause chaos, sabotage the economy, and engage in lawlessness will be dealt with firmly and decisively, in accordance with the law," said the CS.

And as the Azimio coalition plans demonstrations for three consecutive days from Wednesday over the high cost of living, Prof Kindiki said anyone who violates the law will be dealt with accordingly.

"Anyone planning to paralyse the economy, injure innocent citizens, loot private property, and vandalise public property on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or any other day, not just in Nairobi but across the 47 Counties in the country will be dealt with accordingly," he noted.

At the same time, the interior minister fired a warning at former state officials using what he called unorthodox means to derail their successors, including former president Uhuru Kenyatta, whom President William Ruto has openly accused of financing the anti-government protests.

"All persons, including current and former political leaders and public office holders, have an obligation to follow the law. Retired office holders, including former Presidents, Governors, MPs or MCAs must allow their successors to execute their mandate and not resort to blackmail, sabotage, and other unorthodox means to derail them," Kindiki said.