By John Ikani
Kenya’s Interior Ministry has proposed significant changes to the country’s security laws that would create more obstacles for citizens attempting to engage in peaceful protests.
While Kenyan citizens are guaranteed the right to assemble, demonstrate, and picket under the country’s constitution, the proposed changes would introduce restrictions limiting the number of people who could participate in a protest.
In addition, protesters would be required to obtain consent from anyone who might be affected by the protest, pay for the cost of cleaning up after the protest, and be held liable for any damages resulting from the protest.
The Interior Ministry is also seeking to designate specific areas where protests can occur.
The proposed changes come on the heels of protests in opposition strongholds that resulted in the death of a university student after police dispersed the crowds with tear gas and live ammunition.
The demonstrators are protesting issues such as the high cost of living and alleged electoral malpractices.
The Interior Ministry hopes that by imposing restrictions on protests, it can prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The Ministry maintains that these changes are necessary to ensure public safety and prevent the disruption of daily activities.
According to the Ministry, “It is not feasible for security organs to allow masses of people to roam streets and neighborhoods of their choice carrying stones and other offensive weapons while chanting political slogans and disrupting the daily activities of others.”
Critics of the proposed changes, however, have characterized them as an assault on democracy and the fundamental principles of an open society.
Some have even argued that the proposed law is in direct violation of the country’s constitution.
