• Kindiki, who visited Sondu market at the weekend, termed Wednesday's protests as anarchy and economic sabotage.
•His warning comes after Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja coalition said the anti-government demonstrations will go on for three days next week.
Image: ROBERT OMOLLO
The government will not allow further losses and deaths as a result of Azimio-led protests, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has warned.
"Your rights end where other people's rights begin. There is no right or freedom to loot, kill, injure, or destroy private and public property. We will not allow it again next week," he said.
Kindiki, who visited Sondu market at the weekend, termed Wednesday's protests as anarchy and economic sabotage.
His warning comes after Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja coalition said the anti-government demonstrations will go on for three days next week.
In a statement, Azimio la Umoja said due to requests from all sectors, the peaceful protests will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Raila said the demos will be held whether the government issues a permit or not.
"We will have countrywide protests next week on Wednesday whether the government likes it or not," he said.
But Kindiki warned Azimio that they will regret if they proceed with their planned protests.
"Try monkey business on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, you will live to regret it for a very long time. I know there are people doubting me," he said.
The Interior CS further likened violent protesters to terrorists.
Kindiki said protesters who have been engaging in wanton destruction of property in recent demonstrations against the government were no different from terrorists.
He said violent protesters have now joined two groups he is fighting- bandits in northern Kenya and al Shabaab militants.
“We have been fighting the al Shabaab and bandits in northern parts of Kenya but we know another group of criminals who are in politics. They are all in one WhatsApp group,” he said.
The CS reiterated that there is no difference between an al Shabaab militant and a protester who burns the country’s flag.
“It is a piece of cloth but it is an emblem of our country. When it was hoisted for the first time, we started to rule ourselves. It is a symbol of statehood and burning it is like setting the country on fire,” he said.
However, the CS admitted that there were security hitches during Wednesday’s demonstrations that left about 10 people dead and property destroyed.
Speaking in Homa Bay county on Saturday during the homecoming of Interior PS Raymond Omollo, Kindiki said some Kenyans took advantage of security hitches to hurt others, damage property and obstruct businesses.
“I want to assure you (President) and the people of Kenya that there will be no violence, no obstruction of businesses, no loss of live and damage to property on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or any other day,” he stated.
Kindiki apologised to President William Ruto, who was the chief guest at the event, for the lapses in security during Wednesday's protests.
“It happened and it will not happen again. I am sorry on behalf of the security sector- your Excellency- for the trauma and terror which we put innocent Kenyans through,” he stated.
He assured that there will be law, order, peace and tranquillity during the days the opposition announced another round of demonstrations.