Azimio Protests: Kindiki Vows 24-Hr Increased Security In Nairobi, Kisumu Estates

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has directed that there will be no more violent protests of any type injuring people, security officers, businesses and property in the country, whether accompanied by notice or not.

While reading the riot act through a statement on Wednesday, March 29, Kindiki announced that he would issue Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome with policy directives that would take place after the protests on Thursday, March 30.

In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 245 (4) and (5) of the Constitution, I shall be issuing policy directives to the Inspector General of the National Police Service, which directives shall take effect on 31st March 2023," he stated.

They include: 

1. Measures that the police shall take to ensure public safety during demonstrations of any type;
2. Enhancement of security for all Kenyans and foreign nationals lawfully in Kenya to ensure that no person is exposed to insecurity;
3. Investigations and accountability of all persons found to have committed criminal acts against any person or the property of any person during the demonstrations and the counter activities;
4. Provision of security to all persons whose private property has been violated and/or looted during the protests and to any other person with established, well-founded fear or apprehension that their property is or may be the target of violation, destruction and/or looting; and
5. All streets, estates and neighbourhoods in Nairobi, Kisumu and any other place where there are reasonable grounds to believe that violent protests may erupt in the future be provided with round-the-clock security to ensure that law-abiding persons go about their activities without intimidation, threats or disruption of their daily activities.

"The activities under the ruse of Article 37 rights to assemble, demonstrate, picket and petition, as well as the alleged reaction by invasion, looting and attempted occupation of private property put the Country on the brink of the precipice, as was the case immediately and before the 2007 elections. All criminals irrespective of the political party or group that they support must be neutered before they destroy Kenya.

"The current portrait of anarchy and the unfolding criminal madness must stop. Only firm enforcement of the law stands between us and lawlessness and full-blown chaos. Any aggravation of the prevailing situation would certainly set back the Country. We must halt the descent," Kindiki added.

On the basis of what happened on Monday, March 27, Kindiki revealed that the National Police Service rightfully and lawfully determined that the protests pose a clear, present and imminent danger of a breach of the peace and public order.

He further blamed the organizers of the protests for failing to assist the police in the maintenance of peace and order and for failure and/or refusal to specify the sites and routes of meetings or processions during the protests. 

"On Monday this week just like in last week’s protests, protestors hurled rocks at police officers on duty, forcing them to disperse them. A Police vehicle was burnt to ashes while public facilities were vandalized in the orgy of violence. So far, 2 civilians have been killed during the protests, while 51 police officers and 85 civilians have been injured.

"Ethnically-laced arson was executed in the Kibra suburb of Nairobi, while a church and a mosque were burnt down before the police rushed in to quell the clashes. Journalists were robbed and attacked by knife-wielding gangs as they covered the protests," he added.

Kindiki also gave a report of the two invasions that occurred on the same day: at former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's East Africa Spectre gas company and at former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Northlands property.

"In Ruiru within the periphery of Nairobi, mobs of about 2,000 criminals stormed private property belonging to the family of a retired President of Kenya where they vandalized the farm, stole livestock, set fires and attempted to construct makeshift houses ostensibly to occupy the land.

"A smaller gang attempted to storm a business in the Industrial Area of Nairobi which is associated with a former Prime Minister of Kenya, who is the principal leader of the current protests," he went on.

Kindiki however clarified that while the quick action of the police and private security guards repulsed the Industrial Area criminals, action to protect the Ruiru property was not as quick owing to operational constraints caused by the protests that were taking place.

IG Koome had on Tuesday, March 28 stated that the officers had reacted swiftly in response to the invasion, dismissing claims of a slow response to the daring raid.