We don't need police permission- Sifuna says ahead of demo

In Summary
  • Sifuna who is also the party secretary general said Monday's march to State House is on course.
  • Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said they received requests from two groups, Azimio la Umoja and Nairobi Business Community.
ODM Party leader Raila Odinga engages with ODM party SG Edwin Sifuna while meeting Mt Kenya East leaders at Chungwa House where they welcomed defectors on November 10, 2021
ODM Party leader Raila Odinga engages with ODM party SG Edwin Sifuna while meeting Mt Kenya East leaders at Chungwa House where they welcomed defectors on November 10, 2021
Image: FILE

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna now says they do not need police permission to proceed with the planned protest on Monday.

Sifuna who is also the party secretary general said Monday's march to State House is on course.

"Police “permission” is not a requirement for one to hold protests under Article 37 of our Constitution. This is not 1993," he tweeted.

Sifuna went on to ask Azimio supporters to accommodate others who will be travelling to the City to hold protests in the country.

"Come out and make your voice heard. Extend support and the warm Nairobi Hospitality to those coming in from upcountry," he said.

"If you can spare an extra slice of bread or a bottle of water offer it to your fellow liberator. They may be here a long time and we all know its unafrican to ask a guest how long they will be staying." 

On Thursday, Sifuna said President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua should be held responsible in the event anything happens to Raila.

"Should Raila Odinga catch a cold on Monday, the person to be held responsible is none other than President Ruto and DP Gachagua," he said.

Sifuna was speaking at a press conference on Thursday at Parliament buildings.

Earlier, the ODM Senator explained that since the government ignored calls for dialogue, Azimio was left with no option but to express their frustrations through what the constitution has given them.

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"Indeed the window for dialogue has closed because we were hoping we would have the conversation about the issues within the time frame we gave," Sifuna said.

He also explained that Azimio has held peaceful demonstrations but they are still being termed as violent people.

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said they received requests from two groups intending to hold protests on the same day and decided to grant none the permit to protest.

He said both Azimio la Umoja and Nairobi business community had written to them about their intention to hold a protest on Monday.

"We are in receipt of two requests that came late yesterday and today in the morning. One was from Azimio la Umoja One Kenya and another from the Nairobi business community. The two groups intended to have peaceful demos. But for public safety none has been granted," he said.

Bungei said the two groups did not meet the threshold to be allowed to carry on with protest and warned of dire consequences for those who will break the law.

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