Kindiki Issues Fresh Warnings Ahead Of Major Wednesday Protests
The CS noted that he was made aware of the plan by the opposition to hold fresh protests and he would only allow its principals to do so but on condition.
Marvin Chege 
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Monday, July 10 warned those intending to use the mass protests planned for Wednesday, July 12 to cause mayhem and destruction that they will face the full force of the law.
The CS noted that he was made aware of the plan by the opposition to hold fresh protests and he would only allow its principals to do so but on condition.
Kindiki noted that he had ordered security officers to deal swiftly and decisively with individuals who would disrupt public peace during the protests.
Saba Saba protests in Nairobi CBD and along Thika Road on July 7, 2023. /FILE
"We will not allow the closing of highways or the destruction of property. You can start your demonstrations at six in the morning and in the evening go home,” he directed.
The CS made the remarks while in Meru County where he oversaw the installation of the first Deputy County Commissioner, Zuhura Mambo, and the commissioning of the Igoji Sub-County Headquarters.
Kindiki regretted that the Saba Saba demonstrations held on Friday, July 7 led to the loss of six lives as well as scores injured and property destroyed, vowing not to tolerate a repeat of the same on Wednesday.
“We will not tolerate protests that disrupt businesses and cause deaths in Kenya. I have heard that they are planning to protest on Wednesday, let's meet in the morning. This country does not belong to you alone.
“Those extreme ideas that when you disagree with a political issue you cause mayhem, you hurt people, you close businesses, you close highways, you uproot facilities, that culture must stop and we are going to deal with you very firmly decisively and with finality, don’t try,” said Kindiki.
According to the CS, while the government will not interfere with the right to demonstrate or picket, such protests must be peaceful and demonstrators unarmed.
Kindiki warned that protestors who will threaten law-abiding citizens with violence, hooliganism, destruction of property and disruption of peace would be treated as bandits and terrorists, adding that he had already instructed all police officers to identify inciters heading to the Wednesday protests and arrest them.
Giving a nod for the demonstrations to go ahead, Kindiki noted that it was within the rights of the opposition to demonstrate against the high cost of living.
“If you want to have a meeting, go to an open field and discuss your issues. When it reaches six o'clock, you go home. The public order says you have the right to protest from 6 am to 6 pm,” Kindiki added.
On Monday, July 10, Azimio Leader Raila Odinga stated that the opposition would carry on with its civil disobedience against President William Ruto’s government.
According to the opposition leader, Azimio was demonstrating against the Finance Act 2023, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, electoral justice and the government’s disrespect for multi-party democracy.
"We are, therefore, collecting 10 million signatures in order to delegitimise this regime. In response, we will carry out our own referendum in order to delegitimise this regime," he stated, sentiments which sparked criticism from the Kenya Kwanza side.
Azimio Principal Martha Karua on Monday, July 10 however argued that the collection of 10 million signatures was a tally of Kenyan citizens who supported Azimio's protests against the government and not aimed at removing President Ruto from power, a move critics argued was a tall order.
