- The resolutions to be implemented were escalated to regional police commanders.
- There are fears the protests, even though dubbed peaceful, may turn violent in some areas.
Image: FILE
Top police commanders met for the better part of Saturday to plan how they will handle the planned mass protests on Monday, March 20.
The meeting was convened by Inspector General of police Japhet Koome in his Jogoo House office to discuss what they will do to handle the situation.
The resolutions to be implemented were escalated to regional police commanders.
There are fears the protests, even though dubbed peaceful, may turn violent in some areas.
The team discussed possible solutions to apply, some of which insiders said were counterproductive.
In Nairobi, the head of regional police Adamson Bungei was tasked to address the media Sunday and give the way forward.
He is expected to announce some routes, especially those near State House, will be no-go zones for some motorists and motorcyclists.
This, to some officers, was seen to be counterproductive as it will lead to some motorists avoiding travelling as planned and hence will meet the goals of the planners of the protests.
“We told them to talk to the planners of the protests and agree on the routes to follow but they don’t want to listen. This will backfire,” said one officer aware of the plans.
There are also plans to barricade routes near the homes of Azimio leaders as a way of deterring them from mobilizing their supporters for the protests.
Azimioa leaders are protesting the high cost of living, electoral injustices and a move by President William Ruto to recruit poll officials among other issues.
Dozens of police officers have been mobilised from rural areas and sent to major towns where the protests will take place.
The anticipated protests will be in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Muranga, Nyandarua, Eldoret, Kitale, Machakos and Kakamega among other places.
There are fears chaos may break out on some routes as goons will take advantage and even loot.
Some schools have instructed their pupils and staff to stay away from sessions on Monday due to the protests.
Police are under instructions to ensure they use minimum force to manage the protests.
“We don’t want any officer to be victimized after the event because he opened fire or injured a protester. We have seen what such issues led to in the past.”
In Nairobi, some motor bazaar managers removed their vehicles from display saying they feared there would be chaos.
Police reported they had received intelligence that tens of people had travelled to Nairobi to attend the protests and feared there would be chaos.
There were reports some security officials were reaching out to the organisers of the protests to agree on how and where the event will take place.
Other sources suggested a suggestion to hold the leaders in their houses in a form of house detention for a while as a measure to address the confusion.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga said they intend to leave a petition to Ruto whenever he will be.
Their first stop will be Harambee House, the Office of the President.
Ruto is said to have chaired a National Security Council meeting on Friday and discussed the issue. Details of the meeting were scanty.
Several bodies and individuals have been calling for talks to avert the protests.
Archbishop Anthony Muheria of the Nyeri Archdiocese appealed to leaders to soften their stance and call off the planned mass action protests.
He said the demos may cause disruptions across the country, adding that the church is worried by the rising tensions in the country.