By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has vowed legal action against violent protesters amid calls for peaceful demonstrations.
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said that the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 protects the right of every person to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.
However, the ODPP also explained the limitations of the right and promised to take action against the Tuesday violent protestors who vandalized public property especially critical infrastructure like the Supreme Court and Parliament once the investigations are concluded.
“This right is not absolute and may be limited to protect lives and property. Firstly, any person involved in such assembly, demonstration and/or picketing must be peaceful and unarmed,” said ODPP on X.
According to the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the right to assemble, demonstrate, and picket does not also extend to propaganda or war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement of others to cause harm.
“Cognizant of the loss of lives, destruction and vandalism of private and public property, and other related acts witnessed particularly on Tuesday, 25th of June 2024, these crimes cannot continue unabated,” the ODPP added.
In a statement, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions directed the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to expeditiously conclude investigations and forward the resultant inquiry files for perusal and directions.
“Any individual found culpable will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Further, any future acts of violence leading to loss of lives, and/or destruction of private and public property, more so critical infrastructure including parliament, judiciary, National and County government facilities shall be met with the full force of law,” Office of Director of Public Prosecutions stated.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reiterates its dedication to upholding Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
This statement acts as a guide to the protesters who are still planning to continue with the anti-government demonstrations this week with a demand that the President should resign.
The Gen Z on all social media platforms have announced another week of seven days journey to the new ‘SABA SABA.’
The protesters brand Tuesday as an ‘IPOA day’ whereby they demand that with the support from the Police Reforms Group, visit IPOA to present grievances on police brutality and the killing of peaceful demonstrators and thereafter issue a notice of a peaceful SABA SABA rally on Sunday 7th July, 2024.