The National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) chaired by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua has invoked an order that could potentially cap raging political rallies.
The Public Order Act that was outlined, appeared to fulfil the opposition leader Raila Odinga’s wish for government to ban all pre-mature campaign groupings.
‘’Any person intending to convene a public meeting or a public procession shall notify the regulating officer of such intent at least three days but not more than fourteen days before the proposed date of the public meeting or procession.’’
‘’The organiser of every public meeting or public procession or his authorised agent shall be present throughout the meeting or procession and shall assist the police in the maintenance of peace and order at the meeting or procession.
In an indirect reference to the DPs busy ‘hustlers’ meet and a direct link to what happened in Murang’a, NSAC has fired the warning shot against the hustler vs dynasty duel.
“Sadly, some individuals are taking advantage of the vulnerabilities in our population occasioned by inciting the youth who are fearful of their future. They are attempting to radicalize the youth to the point where they have fought and in one tragic incident killed each other,” Kinyua said.
Kinyua also put slanderous politicians on notice, warning them of dire consequences should they threaten peace.
“The unchecked utterances and political weaponisation of public gatherings continue to undermine law and order within the country. This disregard of the law has triggered violent confrontations among different groupings, thus threatening national security.”
The police were ordered to strictly enforce the law with regard to public meetings without fear or favor to ease political tensions.
On NSAC radar are media outlets warned and will be held responsible for the content they publish or broadcast pursuant to Section 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act as read together with the guidelines for monitoring hate speech in the electronic media.
NCIC CLAW
The address by Kinyua concided with earlier statements echoed by the NCIC, concerning adherance to the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
The law bar speeches, utterances and messages that contain offensive, abusive, insulting, misleading, confusing, obscene or profane language.
It further prohibits use of inciting, threatening or discriminatory language that may or is intended to expose an individual or group of individuals to violence, hatred, hostility, discrimination or ridicule on the basis of ethnicity, tribe, race, color, religion, gender or disability.
The commission has descended on hate speech mongers and has also warned of stern action against acts that may cause acrimony among citizens
However, the pro-Ruto factions have moved to dismiss the move by NSAC terming it a political gimmick intended to shutter the DPs march to State House.
Ruto is expected in Nyamira today
Further the BBI report is expected soon and will require public rallies to sell its content to the electoral, it remains unclear on the roadmap to implement the advisory.
Earlier attempts to stop political meetings have proved difficult especially for the two politicians who enjoy a fanatical following.
