Police have assured Kenyans that if they choose to participate in protests scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, they will be safe and protected.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Sedah made this promise while addressing the media on Wednesday, June 18, adding that the police had put in place 'enhanced plans' ahead of the protests.
“We will provide enough and good security for all Kenyans to ensure that every person who is going to participate or be affected by the protests will be safe,” Sedah assured.
Additionally, he acknowledged receiving a letter from a group of activists informing the authorities of their intention to participate in the protests, which was delivered to the Central Police Station.
The protests are scheduled to honour the members of Generation Z who died during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
However, Sedah warned the populace against using violence or inciting the armed police officers who would be present. He gave an example of the demonstrations that took place on Thursday, June 12, during which some demonstrators were observed fighting with masked police patrolmen.
He emphasised the importance of nonviolent protests, pointing out that it would be a workday and that people would be conducting business in the central business district of Nairobi.
“We are looking more uncivilised when we start converging, and then as we continue, it turns violent. It beats the logic of conducting the protests. And this is what is making the situation now become worse,” Sedah noted.
Nonetheless, Sedah's reassurance coincides with accusations of police brutality, especially during protests, being made against the police. Authorities have been captured using violence to put an end to otherwise peaceful picketing in a number of instances, including during last year's demonstrations.
The controversy surrounding the tactics used by police to manage protests was further sparked on Tuesday, June 17, when a police officer was caught shooting at a mask vendor during protests in the central business district.
The officer, subsequently identified as Masinde Baraza, was arrested and subsequently interdicted along with his colleague Duncan Kiprono, who was caught physically abusing Boniface Kariuki, the vendor.
Furthermore, it was reported that police were supporting thugs who broke into the protests and robbed, looted, and destroyed stores without taking any action.
It remains to be seen whether the police will stick to their word come D-day on June 25.
