Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga has said that the National Police Service (NPS) is unaware of planned demonstrations on Monday, July 7, dubbed Saba Saba Day.
Nyaga, who spoke on Thursday morning during an interview on Citizen TV, said the service had yet to receive any formal notification about the planned protests.
He, however, affirmed the right of Kenyans to demonstrate but urged those planning to take to the streets to first seek permission from the police.
Muchiri noted that protesters could find themselves on the wrong side of the law if they resort to holding demonstrations without seeking a formal permit, adding that such illegal protests often descend into chaos and destruction of property.
"Before I address the matter, I want to clarify that we have not received any formal application for the protests. We will release our statement once we receive an official application," Muchiri Nyaga said.
"But I want to remind Kenyans that the country is ours and we should be law-abiding citizens. We know sometimes the police break the law, but we should be peaceful," he added.
While calling for calm, the police spokesperson called on Kenyans, particularly those in Nairobi, to emulate Mombasa residents who, during the recent protests, first sought a police permit.
During the interview, Muchiri Nyaga expressed the willingness of the police service to collaborate with the protesters to ensure peaceful demonstrations on the said date.
His sentiments come amidst purported plans of a fresh wave of protests on July 7 aimed at pressuring President William Ruto to listen to the grievances of Kenyans.
The National Alternative Alliance (NAA), a rights group, in a statement on Wednesday, July 2, said it was planning to rally Kenyans to commemorate Saba Saba Day.
Led by its conveners, Arnold Maliba and politician Kennedy Ondiek, the lobby group noted that a majority of Kenyans were frustrated by President Ruto's style of governance.
"We are going to organise protests to commemorate Saba Saba Day because Kenyans are angry about how Ruto is governing this country. There is nothing that is working except corruption," Maliba said.
