Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Mating'i, on Wednesday revealed that intelligence reports indicated that there was a planned massacre of Kenyans during NASA's swearing-in ceremony on January 30.
Speaking during a press briefing, Dr Matiang'i intimated that government surveillance uncovered the sinister plan on Monday necessitating prompt action to curb the incident.
"The day before yesterday (Monday), we had credible and incontrovertible intelligence that criminal elements operating under the banner of the hitherto so-called NRM and hiding behind NASA had ferried youth groups to Nairobi, some of them armed to an illegal function at Uhuru Park.
"This was a well-choreographed effort intended to use the excuse of a possible conflict with law enforcement agents to occasion a massacre of our people and shed blood of innocent people in this country.
[caption caption="Interior CS Fred Matiang'i"]
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"We took the decision as government to exercise restraint and deny those criminals that opportunity by withdrawing law enforcement agents from Uhuru Park. As I stand today I thank God that it did not happen and a massacre of catastrophic proportions was avoided," he stated.
Hesitating to name suspects, Dr Matiang'i explained that the effort was known to a number "actors, individual and institutional" who chose to aid the alleged massacre.
The CS's statement also outlined that the three mainstream broadcast stations would remain shut until investigations were completed.
CS Matiang'i urged Kenyans to continue with their daily routine as the government moved in to contain the situation.
He emphasised that the NRM wing of NASA was a criminal group hell-bent on causing violence in the country.
He defended his move to outlaw the group by stating that the Opposition had intended to use the NRM to overthrow the government.
Matiang'i insisted that he would ensure that law and order is maintained in the country while adding that President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration was the only Constitutionally recognised government.
[caption caption="File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta with Interior CS Fred Matiang'i"]
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