Homa Bay Town Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma has vowed to collapse the Assembly and Demonstration Bill introduced by Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku.

In a statement shared on X, on Friday, August 23, 2024, the vocal MP stated that the State does not grant the Human rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizenry.

Terming it a retrogressive bill, Kaluma stated that civil liberties belong to each individual.

“Human rights and fundamental freedoms belong to each individual and are not granted by the State,” Kaluma said.

Quoting the 2010 Constitution, the ODM legislature added that the rights are subject only to the limitations contemplated in the fundamental principles.

“The rights are subject only to the limitations contemplated in the Constitution (Art. 19, 24 and 25, Constitution of Kenya). We will collapse this retrogressive bill,” he wrote.

Ruku’s anti-demos bill

The proposed Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024 (National Assembly Bills No. 28 of 2024) is aimed at tightening regulations on public demonstrations across Kenya.

According to Ruku, the legislation was intended to enhance the safety and security of protestors, non-protestors, and businesses, aligning with Article 37 of the Constitution.

“The bill was founded on the need to give effect to article 37 of the Constitution and to enhance the safety and security of the protestors, non-protestors and businesses. However, I have agreed with the will of Kenyans that the bill be withdrawn. #MaandamanoBill,” he stated.

“It would be helpful to explain 1. What exactly is the issue you were trying to address? 2. How exactly the Bill was going to address the issue? Kenyans have said they do not want any explanations. They have said we need to listen to them. If Kenyans say No to Maandamano Bill, we also say No. If Kenyans ask us to jump, we ask them how high we should jump. If they ask us to reason with them, then we reason with them.”

However, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, MP Ruku announced the decision to withdraw the controversial bill citing public opposition.

Ruku said that he had listened to the concerns of Kenyans, who expressed disinterest in having protests regulated by new legislation.

“I have heard the voice of Kenyans and therefore decided to withdraw the Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024. I will officially be writing to the Speaker of the National Assembly,” Ruku wrote on his X account on Thursday.

Human rights and fundamental freedoms belong to each individual and are not granted by the State. The rights are subject only to the limitations contemplated in the Constitution (Art. 19, 24 and 25, Constitution of Kenya).
We will collapse this retrogressive Bill. pic.twitter.com/nJRqLOaqtd

— Hon. George Peter Kaluma, CBS. MP. (@gpdkaluma) August 23, 2024