The ongoing rivalry between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio took a new twist on Sunday when Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki disclosed that the opposition coalition squandered a 7-hour window to stage peaceful protests on July 13, which had been granted by the government.
Speaking at a church service in Nyeri County, the Cabinet Secretary asserted that the government had decided to conduct an experiment to see whether Azimio could successfully organise peaceful protests even as the two political formations continued to blame each other for the chaos that ensued from prior anti-government protests.
Detailing the events of that day, Kindiki recounted how law enforcement officers managed to control the situation after the initially planned peaceful protests turned chaotic.
“We had agreed to give them some time to see if they can demonstrate peacefully and go home,” he revealed.
Kindiki noted that his officers stood by and observed as protestors vandalised the Nairobi Expressway. He expressed regret over the unfortunate incident, particularly due to the fact that the road was constructed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.
While justifying the firm government response, the Cabinet Secretary further pointed out that protestors blocked roads, attacked civilians, and looted property.
Kindiki disclosed that the tipping point came when the demonstrators began setting police vehicles on fire and pelting security officers with stones.
“When it reached 1:00 pm we decided we had to end this. We did this because it became evident that there was no possibility of peaceful protests,” he explained.
Police officers faced significant criticism that day for their use of brutality during the protests, particularly in Nairobi and Kisumu counties.
In defence of the police officers' actions, Kindiki disclosed that following Azimio's mishandling of the opportunity, the government made a firm commitment to prevent any future demonstrations.
“We cannot allow people to stone police officers and burn their vehicles as well as attack government facilities,” he vowed.
The CS remarked that some of the actions witnessed during the protests bordered on attacks on Kenya’s sovereignty.
During the church service, Kindiki welcomed the ongoing bipartisan talks between the government and the opposition. He however observed that the government will not allow the opposition to stage protests regardless of the outcome of the bipartisan talks.
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