Police Spokesperson, Bruno Shioso, has revealed the main reason it is difficult for the police service to implement the ban on political gatherings as a Covid-19 containment measure.
Responding to questions from members of the public during an interview with a local TV station, Shioso explained that the large number of people who turn up for political rallies is to blame.
Kenyans pressed to know why the police were silent on such gatherings, while they were ruthless in enforcing other measures such as dusk to dawn curfew.
"Some of these rallies have so many Kenyans. We have those kinds of challenges, so even if you arrest them, where do you take them in the first place?" posed the police boss.
However, Shioso stated that they would take action if they found a manageable number of attendees and politicians.
"But if we get a small number of people and politicians in an event, we shall be able to arrest them," he added.
While trying to demystify the rationale of police whenever they come across such situations, he stated that a number of factors, such as public interest, come into play regardless of whether or not people are doing the right thing.
"We look at it and find that it's very challenging given the public interest and other issues. Police operate on the principle of discretion. So you weigh the situation, analyze and see what you can do and what you can't do." stated the spokesperson.
The public has been decrying the existence of double standards in the police force, where they have been accused of laxity when it comes to addressing lawlessness among public figures.
Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, released a statement on October 4, announcing the extension on the ban of all physical and political gatherings, as well as the dusk to dawn curfew.
Despite the ban, the gatherings have been going on in various parts of the country, with 2022 presidential hopefuls being the most notorious.
