Kindiki says he’ll specify designated protest areas if re-appointed Interior CS

Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki told Parliament on Thursday that if he is re-appointed to the Interior Ministry, he would spell out designated areas for Kenyans to protest, picket and present petitions.

During his vetting for the ministerial post, the former Interior CS said before President William Ruto dissolved his Cabinet on July 11, he had finalised draft regulations for the Public Order Act in the wake of the deadly nationwide anti-government protests.

Kindki said the draft regulations spell out how police should escort demonstrations to ensure protesters don’t “run a mock” and overrun members of the public not in the demos.

“It will also designate public institutions in all arms of the government to designate areas in their precincts or in the vicinity of their precincts where a group of protesters who want to demonstrate or present a petition to that public institution can assemble,” Kindiki told the National Assembly Committee on Appointments.

The proposals, he said, also require protest organisers to tell the police in advance what number of protesters to expect.

Kindiki argued that this would provide a solution to deaths and destruction of property seen in the recent demonstrations.

He was responding to a question from National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who held that “the confrontation between police and protesters” is because the Interior Ministry has failed to designate “picketing corners”.

“Kenyans think they can picket everywhere, including places considered restricted areas,” Ichung’wah said.

Protesters have since President Ruto dropped the contentious 2024 Finance Bill late last month continued with demos against his administration, calling for an overhaul of the entire government. Others also call for his resignation.

The demos, largely organised on social media, have seen youth mobilise for marches to key areas such as the Nairobi city centre, Parliament buildings and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

The police have been criticised for using excessive force and violence against Kenyans in the wake of the protests.

Top of the issues is the opening of fire on unarmed Kenyans, forceful arrests and orchestrating the abduction of vocal personalities in the demonstrations in what is seen as suppression of dissent against Ruto’s administration.

Over 60 people have been confirmed killed since the demos began, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.