Duale said even though the Inspector General of Police was within his rights to cancel political rallies, he owed the political leadership of the Jubilee coalition an explanation.
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 27 – The Leader of the ruling coalition in the National Assembly Aden Duale has demanded an explanation from Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo, following an indefinite ban on political rallies.
Duale said even though the Inspector General of Police was within his rights to cancel political rallies, he owed the political leadership of the Jubilee coalition an explanation.
“We want to know why he has cancelled the rallies without giving reasons. As far as we are concerned our rally is still on because it cost us time and money to prepare and put logistics in place.”
Jubilee is set to hold a political rally in Kajiado at the weekend.
Duale’s comments came hot on the heels of a declaration by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) that it would also proceed with its planned rallies this weekend.
CORD intends to hold a political meeting in Kawangware on Friday and a major rally on Saturday at Uhuru Park as the coalition’s leader Raila Odinga makes a grand comeback into Kenya after months in the United States.
Kimaiyo on Tuesday said he had cancelled all political rallies and demonstrations in the country until further notice.
In a notice issued by Administration Police spokesperson Masoud Mwinyi, Kimaiyo said the order was prompted by the current security situation in the country.
“The National Police Service wishes to notify all the political parties and the general public that all political meetings and processions in the country have been cancelled until further notice as per the provisions of the Public Order Act, CAP 56,” he explained.
“This order is issued against the backdrop of various aspects of insecurity which we are addressing.”
Mwinyi explained that the order did not target any political outfit, but was part of Government efforts to ensure the country and the public remain safe.
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