Raila Responds After Azimio Protests Declared Illegal

Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga on Sunday, March 19 maintained that the planned mass action on Monday, March 20 will go on, despite Nairobi Police boss Adamson Bungei declaring the protests illegal.

Raila, who urged Kenyans to turn up for the much-anticipated mass action, stated that the protesters will gather at the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

He further reiterated that all protesters will be accorded every right enshrined in the Constitution, and no one should be afraid of attending the mass action. 

"I'm calling on all Kenyans of goodwill to wake up very early in the morning and gather at the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD)," Raila declared. 

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader cautioned the police against denying protesters their rights, in response to the National Police Service (NPS) declaration of the Azimio protests illegal as the notification was submitted late.

"The mass action is your right, and there is no one who should by any means take that right from you," Raila noted. 

Speaking to the media, Bungei revealed that he had Azimio and the Nairobi business community had sent in their request on Saturday, March 18, in the evening and Sunday, March 19, morning, but the Azimio coalition, he added, should have notified the authorities three days to the protest as dictated by the constitution.

“We are in receipt of two requests that came late yesterday and today in the morning. One was from Azimio la Umoja One Kenya and another from the Nairobi business community. 

“The two groups intended to have peaceful demos. But for public safety none has been granted,” Bungei stated.

He added that if the law was met, they would ensure that there would be no destruction of property as they had put in place measures to protect Kenyans and their businesses.

“You are allowed to do all that is allowed by the constitution, you shall notify the regulatory officer of such intent, at least three days but not more than 14 days before the proposed date of such a meeting or procession. 

“Therefore, any person that will participate in the planned demonstration is notified to do so peacefully as guided by the constitution of Kenya,” Bungei added.

He warned that those who would be found breaching the security measures in place would be dealt with decisively, according to the law.

Bungei further advised Kenyans to take note of restricted areas such as State House, adding that they are out of bounds and would be under heavy security.

The Azimio coalition however responded to the presser by stating that their notice, signed by the Chairman of the Azimio Executive Council Wycliffe Oparanya, had been issued on Friday, March 17, and not on Saturday, March 18, as revealed by Bungei.

According to the Public Order Act 2012; “Any person intending to convene a public meeting or a public procession shall notify the regulating officer of the full names and physical address of the organizer of the proposed public meeting or public procession." and shall do so three days prior to the procession, including details of the location, time and dates.

The Act goes on to state that the time of procession ought to be between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.