Raila’s demos are not envisioned by Constitution – MP Ruku

Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku has said Raila’s protests are not what the Constitution intended during its installation.

Ruku said the Constitution only aims to promote and protect peaceful protests and picketing efforts by law-abiding Kenyans.

He faulted the Azimio faction for carrying out demonstrations marred with bouts of violence as witnessed on March 20.

“What Raila is trying to do is not what the Constitution envisaged as far as Article 37 of this Constitution is concerned because demonstrations are not peaceful, are not unarmed so it is Raila versus the police,” Ruku said.

He called on police officers to be firm in service while acting within the confines of the law in dealing with the ongoing protests.

He urged them to engage and arrest any propagators of violence that are witnessed during the planned demonstrations.

“I think the police must do what is necessary and what is within the law and if necessary also to arrest Raila Odinga and ensure he faces law because these demonstrations are not peaceful, the picketing, we’re seeing people carry stones and other crude weapons,” he said.

“This is against the Constitution and anybody who mobilises people regardless of your status in society the law should be applied equally, nobody is above the law.”

Police revealed that the March 20 protests saw more than 200 people arrested with 31 police officers being injured in the chaos.

Inspector General of police Japhet Koome said this happened as police clashed with protesters who turned up following a call to protest the high cost of living among other issues.

“We wish to inform the public that during Monday's demonstrations, we arrested 25 people, while seven officers were injured in Nyanza. In Nairobi, 10 police vehicles were damaged, 24 officers injured while 213 persons were arrested,” Koome said.