Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has cautioned the opposition against planned demonstrations in the country.
Speaking at Kaanwa Catholic Church in Tharaka Nithi County on Sunday, July 16, 2023, the CS said the government was willing to smoke out people hiding behind the constitution to paralyze the economy, injure innocent people, loot private property and vandalize public property.
According to Kindiki, the government respected all provisions of the constitution including the freedom of association and assembly and the right to hold peaceful demonstrations.
“We are not interfering with political association, democracy or freedom of speech. What we have are criminals citing some parts of the constitution while ignoring some. The same constitution that allows you(opposition) to protest is the same that protects the right to life, right to property and the rights of all other persons”, he said.
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition announced the resumption of demonstrations to be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which according to Opposition Leader Raila Odinga, are set to go on nationwide until President William Ruto’s government listens to the grievances of Kenyans.
In last Wednesday’s demonstrations, at least nine people were confirmed dead, and property worth millions destroyed including the Nairobi Expressway infrastructure amounting to KShs 700 million.
“What happened on Wednesday will not happen again. I accept that we did not do very well as law enforcement agencies. I promise this week going forward, the country is ready to deal with the dangerous criminals in our midst”, CS Kindiki said.
“I promise all those criminals preparing to loot property, kill people, burn buildings, paralyze the economy and terrorize people that I am ready for you, we are ready for you. Not just in Nairobi but all the 47 counties of the republic of Kenya. Some of you think we are kidding, try looting”, he added.
Kindiki noted that politics should be processed democratically through talks, saying disagreements only ought to fall within terms of policy.
Tharaka MP and bipartisan talks co-chairperson Gitonga Murugara said the demonstrations were unlawful accusing them of destruction of property and looting adding that they were ready as government to resume talks with the opposition.
“We are open for dialogue. The opposition has taken us in circles, and we can see they are not serious for talks. We are ready and we want Kenya to progress well”, he said.
Other leaders present included Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene, Senator Julius Mwenda Gataya, County Assembly Speaker John Mbabu and MCAs led by host MCA Anita Karimi Mbae.
Comentarios