12 October 2017•Update: 13 October 2017
By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya
Demonstrations have been banned across Kenya amid unrest following August’s disputed election, the government said Thursday.
Since President Uhuru Kenyatta's electoral win was annulled a few days later, opposition supporters have held protests every Monday, Wednesday and Friday calling for the dismissal of 12 election commission officials accused of rigging the vote.
On Wednesday, opposition officials said the protests would be held on a daily basis.
Interior Secretary Fred Matiangi said the marches had been banned to prevent vandalism and assaults in three cities including capital Nairobi.
“Whereas our constitution under Article 37 provides that ‘every person has a right to peacefully and unarmed; assemble, demonstrate and picket…' the enjoyment of these rights is not absolute and must not infringe on the rights of Kenyans,” he told reporters.
“Due to the clear, present and imminent danger of a breach of the peace and public order, as witnessed in recent demonstrations, the government notifies the public that, for the time being, demonstrations will not be allowed within… Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.”
Earlier this week, opposition leader Raila Odinga pulled out of a presidential rerun election set for Oct. 26.
During protests in Nairobi and Kisumu on Wednesday, two people were shot by police. Businesses in the capital Nairobi have pledged to remain closed next week over fears of looting and vandalism.
