Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo speaking to journalists in Mombasa/SCREENGRABKenya has called for calm and strict adherence to the law following violent protests that broke out Thursday at the busy Namanga border crossing between Kenya and Tanzania.
The protests have disrupted movement and escalated tension along the vital East African trade corridor.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo urged those demonstrating on the Kenyan side of the border to respect the country’s laws governing public protests and assemblies.
“Our position remains that any form of expression or assembly must be exercised strictly within the confines of the law,” Omollo said while addressing journalists in Mombasa.
He emphasised that Kenya has clear legal frameworks guiding demonstrations, urging all participants to conduct themselves peacefully and lawfully.
“As a country, we have laws and regulations that guide demonstrations. Anyone who wants to participate in any form of protest should do what the law requires,” he said.
Omollo, however, declined to comment on the protests unfolding across the border in Tanzania, saying it was beyond his mandate.
“I don’t want to speak about what is happening in Tanzania. To our friends there, I am sure they have their own ways and mechanisms of dealing with it. They are our friendly neighbours, and we wish them well as they go through their election process,” he added.
The PS assured the public that Kenyan security officers in Namanga are well-equipped and competent to handle any potential spillover of unrest from the Tanzanian side.
He acknowledged that the situation might cause temporary disruptions to the movement of goods and people but expressed confidence that border authorities would manage the situation effectively.
The violence at Namanga comes amid widespread unrest in Tanzania, following the October 29 general election, which opposition groups have denounced as flawed.
Hundreds of demonstrators, reportedly from the Tanzanian side, barricaded roads, lit bonfires, and hurled stones at nearby buildings, paralysing activity at the shared border town. Protesters also tore down and burned campaign posters bearing the image of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, chanting pro-opposition slogans and expressing support for Tundu Lissu, a leading opposition figure.
The chaos brought operations at the one-stop border post to a standstill, stranding cargo trucks, passenger buses, and private vehicles on both sides of the border.
The Namanga crossing is a crucial artery for regional trade, linking Kenya and Tanzania and serving as a gateway to the wider East African Community (EAC) market.
Regional officials warned that the disruption could have ripple effects on trade and logistics, especially for transporters moving goods between the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
“We continue to urge all persons who may wish to participate in any such activities to do so peacefully and in accordance with our Constitution and relevant statutes,” Omollo reiterated.
