Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has vowed to ruthlessly deal with lawbreakers ahead of Azimio La Umoja Coalition's planned public meetings across the country.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 6, Kindiki noted the ministry is aware of the nationwide meetings announced by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
"We remain firm and ruthless, those who want to test what our solution is can try the law,” Kindiki stated.
According to the CS, the ministry will deal with rowdy protestors in a similar way it has dealt with muggers in the capital city and bandits in Northern Kenya.
He added that the government ought to be notified to make the necessary arrangements on matters of security.
"The ministry of interior is making all the necessary arrangements to ensure that our fellow Kenyans can get the chance to air their grievances,
We will however require to be given the schedule of the planned activities so that we can plan our manpower accordingly," Kindiki stated.
Additionally, Kindiki stated that those planning demonstrations and associations across the country are free to do so as enshrined in the constitution.
“Therefore in our culture as a democracy, we are not interested as the ministry responsible for national security to interrupt the freedom meant to be enjoyed by the people of Kenya.
This will be undermining the constitution and the democratic space of the country," the CS declared.
President William Ruto on Sunday, December 4, directed Kindiki to deploy security to Raila and the team ahead of the planned mass action.
"I have asked Kindiki to give them security officers who will protect them so that they do not destroy people's property," Ruto stated.
Raila on Sunday, November 27, announced that rallies will begin in major cities and progress to other major towns from Wednesday, December 7.
