Africa-Press – Kenya. ODM party of Raila Odinga has claimed the security detail of its legislators has been recalled ahead of the planned protests. In a statement, the party says this has also affected most of the leaders from the affiliate parties within the Azimio Coalition.
“Security detail for most of the legislators allied to Azimio la Umoja has been recalled for ‘training’,” party’s communication director Philip Etale told the Star in a statement.
Police spokesman Resila Anyango was, however, cagey about the matter. She neither confirmed nor denied the claims, only promising to get back. “Let me confirm and get back to you,” she told the Star on the phone.
She was yet to respond by the time of publishing. ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna could not respond to our calls. Azimio leader Raila Odinga and civil society groups have called for protests over the high cost of living and the new Finance Act 2023.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has since banned the demonstrations, saying no group had presented an official notification to the police. The planned demos are considered illegal, he said. He vowed to use “all lawful means” to disperse any gatherings that will take place on Wednesday.
“In the interest of national security, the National Police Service wishes to inform the public that in the absence of notifications by planners of any demonstrations as a legal prerequisite to enable police to provide adequate security to demonstrators and the public. Police have no other option but to take necessary measures to disperse all illegal demonstrations,” said Koome.
“In this regard, no such demonstrations/gatherings/protests will be allowed tomorrow (Wednesday) since no such notification has been presented to any police station. All lawful means will be used to disperse such demonstrations.”
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