Azimio has informed the police of their intention to hold weekly protests on Mondays and Thursdays, and requested adequate security measures be put in place. In a letter addressed to Inspector of Police Japhet Koome, Azimio Executive Council chairman Wycliffe Oparanya cautioned that plainclothes officers carrying arms would be treated as thugs or hired goons.
Oparanya stated that only uniformed police officers would be allowed to carry firearms, and any plainclothes officers found with arms would be subject to arrest as allowed by the law. The notice applied to the upcoming protests on Monday, March 27, and Thursday, March 30, as well as the following Mondays and Thursdays.
The law requires that individuals wishing to hold demonstrations or pickets should notify the police at least 72 hours before the event. Therefore, Azimio will have to notify the police again for subsequent protests, including those scheduled for next week. Oparanya, accompanied by Eugene Wamalwa, Jeremiah Kioni, and George Wajackoyah, delivered the letter to the IG in person at the Regional Police Headquarters since the necessary forms were not available in any police station.
Oparanya requested that the forms be made available, but considered the hand-delivered letter an official notice. Raila announced on Tuesday that Azimio’s nationwide mass demonstrations would be held every Monday and Thursday until their demands are met in response to public demand.
