The government has taken stringent measures, among them heavy deployment of security agents in Opposition strongholds, to scuttle the Azimio-organised three-day demonstrations set to commence this morning.

The security officers are said to have been given express instructions to break up any form of meetings or gatherings in their jurisdictions.

Police commanders have reportedly been warned that they would be held accountable for any successful demonstration held in their respective jurisdictions.

Sources said security officers have been told to deal ruthlessly with protestors and any person who would be found to have participated in the protest would be arrested and hauled to courts immediately.

In anticipation of the high number of protestors likely to be arrested for participating in the protests, the government is said to have made arrangements with the Judiciary to have the courts remain operational throughout so that all suspects will be arraigned immediately.

A statement released by State House after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto was categorical that the government was leaving nothing to chance over the demonstrations.
“In the Tuesday meeting at State House, the Cabinet also noted the security situation in the country arising from violent protests by the Opposition and resolved to protect lives and property,” a statement from State house indicated.

And hours after the Cabinet meeting, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki warned that the scenes witnessed on July 12 will not happen again as he disclosed that national security agencies have deployed all the available resources to ensure there will be no violence and destruction of property during the planned demonstrations.

“Anyone planning to unleash violence on Kenyans is hereby warned to cease and desist,” he said. Kindiki, however, said those who wish to express their political rights are free to do so within the law and without violating the rights of others.

“Those who doubt the Government’s resolve to prevent further loss of life, injury, destruction of private and public property, and degeneration of the country into anarchy have a date with law enforcement agencies,” he added.

Kindiki advised members of the public to go about their daily businesses, as law enforcement agencies ensure their safety and security.

The CS said during the last demonstrations, many parts of Nairobi and other parts of the country witnessed an orgy of violence, lawlessness and destruction of private and public property by persons purporting to exercise their constitutional rights and freedoms.

“The country almost degenerated into total chaos perpetrated by criminal elements hiding under the guise of the Article 37 right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and petition public authorities,” he said.
Last evening, the country was on the brink of a major showdown between Opposition and the government over today’s planned demonstrations with both sides hardening on their positions.

Raila’s team said protestors will today converge at Joseph Kangethe Grounds, Kamkunji Grounds and Jacaranda Grounds for the major event while Azimio allied MPs will hold other demonstrations in their respective regions.

“The sufuria movement kicks off tomorrow (today) and continues until the battle is won. We ask Kenyans to come out of their homes and bang sufurias, pots and pans.

Further at midday, we call on motorists to stop wherever they are on highways and roads, hoot and flash lights in support of this movement,” Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua said in their joint statement.

The Opposition leaders further criticised the government for putting their lives in danger after the withdrawal and in some cases scaling down their security detail, adding that the move by the government was not informed by any intelligence as is required.

With the Raila Odinga led Azimio side insisting to proceed with the planned demonstrations, the government beefed security in all areas prone to the protests as it vowed to clamp down on any form of street dissent.

Kenya Kwanza allied MPs had also received similar instructions to use all means available to them to break up protests in their respective regions.

Both the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza leaders appeared to defy calls for dialogue as they prepared for a major showdown today with the Raila team declaring that they would not bow in to threats and intimidations from the government side.

This was despite the willingness by a 13-member league of Western diplomatic missions based in Nairobi to mediate in the escalating clash between the Opposition and government.

The diplomats from the US, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine urged parties to the conflict “to find constructive and peaceful solutions”.

“We recognise the daily hardship faced by many Kenyans and urge all parties to table their concerns through a meaningful dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully to build the nation together, ensuring no further loss of life,” the embassies stated in a statement.

Contingents of heavily armed General Service Unit, Regular Police, Rapid Deployment Unit and other units from the Administration Police Service.

Sources said the government had also sought reinforcement from DCI, Kenya Prisons and Kenya Wildlife Service as it puts all the stops to deter the protests.

Heavy deployment of security personnel was reported in all sub-counties of Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kakamega, Kwale, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado and Trans Nzoia among other areas.

“We have been instructed to break up any public meeting involving more than three people. Commanders in whose jurisdiction demonstrations will take place will be held liable,” a senior police officer told the People Daily, while declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

In Kitengela, Mlolongo and Athi River areas that bore the greatest brunt of last week’s demonstrations, officers had already been deployed on the streets amid concerns by youths who were planning to participate in the protests.

Some traders expressed fears of opening their businesses while some remained optimistic that the protests would be peaceful.