Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on Tuesday criticised Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku for failing to keep his word to withdraw the proposed Assembly and Demonstration Bill that sought to establish a legal framework granting law enforcement authorities the power to police how demonstrations are conducted.
On 27 Jun 2024, two days after Kenyans stormed Parliament while staging protests against the now withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024, Ruku, in an online post declared that he had listened to Kenyans and would subsequently be withdrawing the controversial piece of legislation.
The proposed law attracted widespread criticism over some questionable proposals including giving the police the powers to clamp down on protestors and changing the definition of what qualifies as an assembly in the context of demonstrations or picketing.
While responding to concerns Kenyans had on the contentious proposed law, the Kenya Kwanza allied MP defended his bill explaining that its was intended to guarantee the safety and security of businesses, non-protestors, and protestors during demonstrations.
"I have heard the voice of Kenyans and therefore decided to withdraw the Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024 (National Assembly Bills No. 28 of 2024). I will officially be writing to the Speaker of the National Assembly to withdraw the Maandamano Bill," the MP posted at the time.
One Kenyan on X, took him to account on the necessity of the Bill to which he replied, "Kenyans have said they do not want any explanations. They have said we need to listen to them. If Kenyans say No to Maandamano Bill, we also say No. If Kenyans ask us to jump, we ask them how high we should jump. If they ask us to reason with them, then we reason with them,"
However, weeks down the line, the proposed law has not been withdrawn, with speculation rife it might be presented on the floor in due course.
Omtatah as such, in a post called out Ruku for making a promise he never intended to keep.
"Hon. Ruku indicated that he would write to the National Assembly Speaker to withdraw the bill, however it is now undergoing public participation. Khabusie," Omtatah posted.
Contentious Proposals
The bill also seeks to define what is classified as good conduct by demonstrators during a protest.
One of the big issues Kenyans raised with the proposed law was that it sought to give police the powers to stop a demonstration from taking a different route other than the one specified in the notice served to the relevant police station.
Ruku's bill proposed a Ksh100,000 fine for persons violating the proposed provision.
