Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announced on Wednesday that the government has banned protests in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) until further notice.
In a statement, Kanja claimed the National Police Service (NPS) has received credible intelligence that organized criminal groups were planning to exploit the protests to commit various crimes, including looting businesses in the heart of the district.
This comes after President Ruto accused a big NGO Ford Foundation, of sponsoring the protests in Kenya.
Effects of The Leaderless Nature of The Protests
Kanja also stated that the leaderless nature of recent protests had made it difficult to enforce safety protocols. As a result he declared that no demonstrations would be permitted in the Nairobi CBD and surrounding areas until further notice to ensure public safety. The statement read:
“As a result no demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety.”
The Acting Inspector General justified the decision based on the disruptions the country has experienced since the anti government protests began. He cited enormous losses, injuries, loss of life, property destruction, and loss of livelihoods since the demonstrations by Kenyan youths (Gen Z) started in June.
“Since the public demonstrations by Kenyan youths (Gen Z) began in June this year, our country has experienced enormous losses, people have been injured, lives lost, property and businesses destroyed and livelihoods lost.”
Kanja expressed concern about criminals infiltrating the protesting groups, leading to disorderly and destructive conduct. This comes in the midst of DCI looking for protest criminal suspects and releasing their pictures to the public for a sped up investigation.
“Criminals have continued to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of disorderly and destructive conduct.”
He asserted that while the constitution guarantees the freedom to picket, it also mandates the National Police Service to maintain national security.
The Acting Inspector General concluded by urging Kenyans to remain vigilant and support the police service by sharing any information that could help thwart potential crime.
This statement was issued ahead of another round of protests scheduled for Thursday.