The Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has insisted that the anti-government demos planned for Tuesday by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya party leader Raila Odinga is “unlawful.”

In a statement shared on his behalf by Deputy Inspector General Administration Police Noor Gabow, Koome said he was using the Public Order Management Act, 2012 Part III to ban it.

The section cited by the IG controls public gatherings by forbidding carrying of offensive weapons at public meetings and processions like Raila’s planned mass action on Tuesday.

“Undisputedly, the Constitution 2010, under Article 37 stipulates that every person has the right, peaceably and unharmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities,” the IG said in the statement.

He added, “Notwithstanding, the Public Order Management Act, 2012 Part III regulates public gatherings by prohibiting offensive weapons at public meetings and processions.”

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Koome claims Azimio’s recent mass protests were characterized by destruction of property and other criminal activities, including the death of a police officer hence the said ban.

“Evidently, recent Azimio-One Kenya Alliance protests have been symptomatic of unacceptable trend of criminal incidents including wanton destruction of property, arson, robbery, looting, injuries to officers, and even death of a police officer, a phenomenon that should not continue,” he stated.

The IG argues that due to the above and to secure the nation, the National Police Service maintains that the anti-government demos are illegal and will not be allowed to proceed.

“In the interest of national security, we wish to notify the public that the planned demonstrations or assembly is unlawful and affirm our earlier unequivocal statements condemning violent protests and the public attacks on Law Enforcement Officers on duty,” Koome warned.

He avowed that the police, in maintaining law and order, will “strictly comply with the rule of law and respect for human rights.”

Raila insists he will proceed with the Tuesday demos and present petitions to Harambee House Office of the President, IEBC, National Treasury and Public Service Commission.