Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei on Sunday, April 30, banned Azimio party leader Raila Odinga from holding mass demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday, May 2.
Speaking at the Regional Police Headquarters, Bungei explained that the previous protests were marred with violence and death.
Bungei, in a press briefing, noted that while Article 37 of the Constitution provided for the right to picket, it was not obsolete.
"Previous demonstrations witnessed in March 2023 conducted by Azimio were marred with violence, resulting in the destruction of property and attacks on members of the public who were not demonstrating.
"Azimio demonstrations were nothing but peaceful and as such, by this letter, we are declining to allow Azimio to proceed," Bungei declared.
He further revealed that the directive was issued in consultation with Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and would be implemented effectively.
"There will be no demonstrations within the Nairobi City. Any such demonstrations will be dispersed by law enforcement agencies," Bungei noted.
However, the police boss intimated that if Odinga had applied to conduct demonstrations along one street in Nairobi, then the police would have considered the application.
The declaration came after the Leader of the Minority Opiyo Wandayi announced plans to hold mass action protests upon the former Premier's return from a trip to Dubai.
In the statement, ODM earmarked Moi , Kenyatta, Haile Selassie, and Harambee Avenues for the Azimio procession.
The Ugunja Member of Parliament (MP) consistently asked police officers to provide security during the exercise.
His announcement came days after the Azimio team involved in the bipartisan talks resorted to returning to the streets citing the lack of seriousness by its Kenya Kwanza counterparts.
