Senator wants designated areas created for protesting
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominated Senator Beth Syengo wants protests to be held in specially designated areas.
Speaking at the Senate on Thursday, July 4, 2024, Senator Syengo noted that constitutionally Kenyans are allowed to picket peacefully. However, due to incidents of destruction of property, she says there is a need for creating designated areas for picketing.
According to the senator, the designated areas will help protesters demonstrate and present petitions without interfering with property. 
Syengo argued that the idea of creating designated demonstration areas has been tested in other countries and proved successful.
"Is it possible to have designated areas for picketing in this country? Can we have areas where people can picket? It has been done elsewhere, can it be done in Kenya?" she posed.
Senator Beth Syengo: Let's create designated areas for picketing to curb destruction of properties. #SenateLive pic.twitter.com/hBoYrTMpOH
— Senate of Kenya (@Senate_KE) July 4, 2024
This is after several traders incurred losses worth millions of shillings due to massive looting and vandalism that was witnessed during the protests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
A group of goons broke into some of the shops in Nairobi and made away with goods worth millions of shillings. However, law enforcement officers have vowed to track them down.
Police against protestors
At the same time, Syengo called for police retraining. She told the other senators that she was disturbed by how some security officers responded to the protests.
The senator indicated that police officers needed a refresher course on how to deal with demonstrators.
Senator Beth Syengo: Why should we have a police services that should maintain law and order in the country and protect citizens and property killing our young men and women? #SenateLive pic.twitter.com/zoOU9DliM3— Senate of Kenya (@Senate_KE) July 4, 2024
She expressed her pain for those who lost their lives during protests and vowed to stand with the rest of the disgruntled youth in championing a better Kenya.
"As the Women's League President in this country, I'm a mother and I feel the pain that mothers in this nation feel. We're with you, we feel your pain and we're ready to walk with you," she stated.
Senator Beth Syengo: Why should we have a police services that should maintain law and order in the country and protect citizens and property killing our young men and women? #SenateLive pic.twitter.com/zoOU9DliM3— Senate of Kenya (@Senate_KE) July 4, 2024
Data from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicated that 39 people had lost their lives during the protests. KNCHR added that 361 were injured.
“Data from our records indicates that 39 people have died and 361 [have been] injured in relation to the protests countrywide,” KNCHR said in a statement, adding that the figures covered the period from June 18, 2024, to July 1, 2024.
In a media roundtable, President William Ruto made it clear that he has no blood on his hands. Further on the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, July 4, 2024, the Cabinet Secretaries commended the police for acting professionally under very difficult circumstances.
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