Azimio coalition has rejected calls by President William Ruto to offer an itinerary of their demonstrations.
Vihiga senator, Godfrey Osotsi, announced that the coalition will not engage the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki over their plans to hold mass protests.
“We will have the rallies whether the government likes it or not it is because it is provided in the law.
“You do not need a license to hold a rally so we are not giving the president our itinerary,” the senator remarked while appearing on K24 TV on Tuesday, December 6.
The senator explained that being a constitutional right, no one will stop Kenyans from demonstrating.
While appearing on Citizen TV on December 6, Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang echoed similar sentiments, arguing that the government was pushing the narrative that it was offering the opposition a favour, in allowing them to demonstrate.”
“This is not a favour, it is our right guaranteed by the Constitution and the people of Kenya so the Interior CS should not brag that he has given us permission to demonstrate,” Kajwang explained.
On December 4, the President instructed CS Kindiki to provide the opposition with enough security during their mass protests.
"I have asked the CS to ask the opposition for a schedule for their planned demonstrations so that we can give them enough security officers for protection,” the President directed back then.
On December 6, Kindiki announced that he will deploy officers for the nationwide rallies slated to start on Wednesday, December 7.
"The Ministry of Interior is making all the necessary security arrangements to ensure that our fellow Kenyans can exercise their right to associate, demonstrate, protest or make their grievances known," Kindiki announced.
Azimio scheduled their first rally for Kamukunji Grounds on December 7, before engaging Kenyans across the country.
