Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga has criticized the police for failing to recognize his coalition’s notification of their planned demonstration on Monday.
Speaking at a church service in ATG Deliverance Church Ongata Rongai, Raila called the police decision “nonsense,” insisting that the protests would continue as planned.
He contended that the police’s role is to provide security, not to grant permission.
“Mr. Oparanya had written to the police and told them that people would protest. I now hear the Nairobi police say they have not got the information right. That is nonsense. The job of the police is to provide security,” he said.
“We will not be intimidated or blackmailed by the police. Tomorrow is a public holiday and Kenya is bigger than anyone else,” he added.
Earlier, Nairobi regional commander Adamson Bungei announced that the police had denied two protest requests by Azimio la Umoja and the Nairobi Businessmen Community because they did not meet the legal requirements.
Bungei explained that the protesting groups failed to notify the police three days in advance, as required by the Public Order Act.
“We are in receipt of requests. One that came last evening and one today morning. One from Azimio la Umoja and one from Businessmen Nairobi community. However, both do not meet the thresholds of the law and their requests were therefore denied,” Bungei said.
“The Public Order Act Section 5 states any person intending to holding a protest must notify the police three days prior but not more than 14 days,” he added.
