Parliament has began debate on a motion seeking to restrict protests and demonstrations in the cities of Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
Ruiru MP Simon King’ara, who fronted the motion, argued that protests in the country were characterized by theft, violence and destruction of property.
“I know people might find it not in order to restrict but it is through order that we exist. In this House, we have Standing Orders and I cannot come to this House without a tie. We have orders brought from elsewhere and they work.
“Are those people who cannot go about their work during demonstrations lacking rights?” he posed.
King'ara wants special areas to be designated for protests and related activities in the 3 cities.
[caption caption="NASA supporters demonstrating in Mombasa in 2017"]
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He further alluded to chaotic scenes witnessed during the electioneering period in 2017, when opposition supporters clashed with police on the streets several times.
Currently, the constitution requires the organisers of a protest to inform the police, share the route and seek to maintain law and order during a demonstration.
King'ara maintained that the current stipulations on demonstrations were rarely adhered to.
He mentioned that the United Kingdom (UK) had a picketing code of practice and laws delineating criminal offences that could occur if a picketer breaks the law.
Restricting protests in Nairobi was initially proposed as part of the Security Laws (Amendment) Act in 2014 but the contentious provision was dropped.
[caption caption="Jubilee Party supporters march to Anniversary towers in a counter-protest in 2017"]
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