Popular blogger and lawyer Kebaso Morara has launched scathing criticism at Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku, accusing him of dishonesty regarding the Assembly and Demonstration Bill.
In a heated exchange on K24 TV’s New Dawn on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Kebaso said that the lawmaker had falsely assured the public that he had withdrawn the Assembly and Demonstration bill, only to later confirm that the bill was still in progress.
Kebaso drew a comparison between Ruku and William Ruto, implying that both tend to be deceptive.
“Hon. Geoffrey Ruku, you are a true son of your father William Ruto. You lied to Kenyans that you withdrew the Assembly and Demonstration bill. You are now confirming that the bill is still on course. You are like William Ruto when it comes to lying,” Kebaso declared.
.@MoraraKebasoSnr: Hon. Geoffrey Ruku, you are a true son of your father William Ruto. You lied to Kenyans that you withdrew the Assembly and Demonstration bill. He is like William Ruto when it comes to lying.#NewDawn pic.twitter.c*m/SHMEJWfHAv
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 21, 2024
Ruku responded to the accusations standing firm in support of the bill, which is currently under its second reading in Parliament.
He clarified that Parliament has invited Kenyans to submit their feedback on the bill until August 9, 2024.
Ruku urged citizens to thoroughly read and understand the bill, emphasizing that it does not require permits to hold protests. Instead, he pointed out that, according to section 3 of the bill, no permit or payment is necessary to organize demonstrations.
According to the lawmaker, the bill encourages protests to be conducted in a manner that respects the rights of others to conduct their business, ensuring that demonstrations remain peaceful and do not infringe upon the rights of others.
“Parliament has requested Kenyans to send memoranda up to August 9, 2024. I am requesting all Kenyans to read to understand. The bill does not require Kenyans to get a permit to picket instead, it says in section 3 that there is no permit or money required to organize demonstrations,” he explained
Adding;
“It says that we should be in a position to do demonstrations without affecting anyone’s right to do their business. We should peacefully do demonstrations so that we don’t affect the other person.”
Assembly and demonstration bill in its second reading
Hon. Geoffrey Ruku: We should be in a position to do demonstrations without affecting anyone’s right to do their business.
.@gk_ruku#NewDawn pic.twitter.c*m/d3csDad9qf— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 21, 2024
Ruku’s anti-demos bill
MP Ruku announced the decision to withdraw the Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024 (National Assembly Bills No. 28 of 2024) on Thursday, June 27, 2024, 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.
The proposed bill aimed to tighten 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.
Adding;
“It would be helpful to explain 1. What exactly is the issue you were trying to address and 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.”