Police Stay Alert in the City Over Katiba Demo
By Collins Wanzallah
Anti-riot police were placed on high alert across Nairobi on Tuesday following an announcement by an organisation composed mainly of youths planning a nationwide protest on Katiba Day.
The organisation, known as the National Provisional Coordination Committee of People’s Assemblies (NCCPA), which comprises 54 groups, had indicated that there would be mass protests across the country in response to the alleged disregard for the constitution by the political elite, led by President William Ruto.
Police in anti-riot gear were seen patrolling the streets of Nairobi, including areas around Tom Mboya statue, Ambassador stage, Kencom stage, the former Simmers restaurant area, and Jeevanjee Gardens.
In an address to the press at Chester House, Nairobi, on Monday, NCCPA spokesperson Kasmuel McOure stated that the constitution, which was promulgated in 2010 and is being marked for its 14th anniversary, had been “mutilated.” Shortly after their press conference, some organisation members, led by Prof. Fred Ogolla, were arrested and taken to Central Police Station as they prepared to start collecting signatures for a referendum aimed at amending the constitution, which they are calling the “People’s Assembly Referendum.”
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei said over the phone that the police had not been notified of any demonstration in the country and insisted that they would not allow protests in the city. Bungei added that police had been mobilised to maintain peace and security, noting that several presidents were in the city for the unveiling ceremony of Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union, which will be decided in February next year.
The ceremony to present Odinga’s candidacy was held at State House, Nairobi, and was attended by several presidents, including Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), and the host, William Ruto.
“We are calling for a total shutdown of the nation tomorrow. Tomorrow will not just be a day of commemoration; it will be a day of mass action,” the youths’ statement added.
They urged people to take a short break of reflection at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, wherever they might be, to consider whether the constitution has benefited the country.
The press conference was also attended by some university student leaders, who expressed their opposition to the new university student funding model and announced that on 9th September, they would hold a protest in the country’s universities to show their dissatisfaction with it.
