Mbeere North member of parliament, Geoffrey Ruku, has proposed a bill targeting to control demonstrations just a day after the Azimio coalition announced the return of demos. Ruku has said that his decision has been informed by a series of violent demonstrations that have seen destruction of property and at times loss of lives.
In what has seemingly been interpreted as infringement of democratic right to picket, Ruku has proposed a one year jail term to protesters who will be arrested engaging in violent activities.
Additionally, the Mbeere North legislator has proposed that organizers of the demonstrations to be taking responsibility of damages caused by protesters. The organizers will also be liable for loss of lives.
Moreover, the bill being proposed by the Kenya Kwanza MP will also give powers to police officers to cancel demonstrations.
According to the lawmaker, this bill will not infringe Kenyans right to demonstrate. He has defended it saying that the bill seeks to do away with violent demonstrations that for many years have left immense loss and suffering.
The Azimio wing has already announced the return of nationwide demonstrations starting from 7th of July. Among the things that have informed this decision by the opposition is the high cost of living and the current passage of the finance bill, which the president assented to law. The Azimio coalition maintains that the finance law is punitive and oppressive. 
Mbeere North MP, Geoffrey Ruku
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