The Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud/ EZEKIEL AMING'A
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has described this year's Saba Saba demonstrations in the capital as largely peaceful, saying only 10 people were arrested as police maintained law and order throughout the day.
Addressing the press after the protests, Mohamud said six suspects were arrested in the Pangani area while four others were apprehended within the Central Police Station jurisdiction.
"The conduct of the public today has reaffirmed that Kenya remains a nation guided by order, unity and mutual respect. We apprehended only 10 people-six in the Pangani area and four within the Central Police Station," Mohamud said.
He commended the public for exercising restraint during the demonstrations, noting that the peaceful conduct of most protesters enabled businesses in many parts of the city to continue operating.
"As you can see, about 80 per cent of businesses remained open until this time," he said.
The regional police commander reiterated that the constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket, but stressed that the freedoms must be exercised within the confines of the law.
"The right to assemble, demonstrate and picket is guaranteed under the Constitution and must be exercised in accordance with the Constitution," he said.
Mohamud, however, warned individuals who take advantage of demonstrations to engage in criminal activities, saying police would firmly deal with anyone involved in vandalism, looting or destruction of property.
"There must be order. If you love your country, you should uphold peace. Lakini kama unatafuta pesa kwa NGOs kuharibu mali ya watu, hiyo hatutakubali," he said.
He also rejected allegations that police officers were involved in abductions, insisting that the National Police Service operates within the law.
"And we don't do abductions, we are police officers. The whole day, we have been here," Mohamud said.
The Saba Saba protests are held annually to commemorate the July 7, 1990 pro-democracy movement.
In Nairobi, security officers maintained a heavy presence in key areas to monitor the demonstrations and prevent incidents of violence or destruction of property as protesters marched through sections of the city.
Police said they would continue reviewing the day's events as investigations into the 10 arrests continue.
