The drafted Act would make protesters declare the exact number of expected participants to help in security planning purposes.
Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee, Kithure Kindiki on Thursday, August 1 revealed details of new and drafted Public Order Act regulations that will compel organisers of protests to declare the exact number of people expected to attend demonstrations.
Kindiki appeared before the National Assembly Appointments Committee for his vetting whereby he disclosed that he was waiting for Cabinet approval regarding the drafted Act before presenting it to Parliament, prior to his dismissal when President William Ruto dissolved his Cabinet on July 11.
The drafted Act would make protesters declare the exact number of expected participants to help in security planning purposes.
If approved, Prof Kindiki said, the regulations will provide clear guidelines on how demonstrations should be conducted to ensure that both police and protesters abide by the Constitution.
People attend a demonstration against Kenya’s proposed finance bill in Nairobi, Kenya, June 25. /REUTERS
Furthermore, Kindiki noted that the proposed rules will clearly outline the role and conduct of the police, while protesters will be required to declare the exact number of those who will be demonstrating for security purposes.
Prof Kindiki also told MPs that the regulations would require all public institutions to designate places where members of the public can picket and even present their petitions to ensure that the rest of the public who do not participate in the protests are not inconvenienced.
During the grilling session, Kindiki also commended the police service for its relentless efforts to deal with the criminals who infiltrated the protests, despite being faced with tough questions about the conduct of the police during the recent demonstrations, where they have been accused of using excessive force to disperse protesters.
According to Kindiki, about 54 police cars were destroyed by the demonstrators during the recent events that paralysed the country.
“I estimate that on a broader scale of things, generally, the police tried their best to protect the country against criminals, including those who visited Parliament and wanted to kill parliamentarians,” Kindiki stated.
The former CS also addressed his silence during the course of the protests, alluding to restrictions in terms of his duties, specifying that he was only mandated to give directives on policy issues and not operational orders.
“The events were mainly operational issues, the work of the minister as envisaged in article 245 of the constitution is to give the organs of national security policy direction and guidance,” Kindiki clarified.
“There are only two people who can give the police directives, the Interior CS, but only on policy issues and the Director of Public Prosecutions when demanding investigations.”
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee Kithure Kindiki speaking during a press briefing at Harambee House, Nairobi on June 24, 2024. /KITHURE KINDIKI