‘Gov’t has not banned public rallies and gatherings’ – Kindiki
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has emphasized that the government is not opposed to public gatherings.
However, the CS says those planning to hold public barazas must adhere to rules and avoid engaging in violent acts that will lead to the destruction of public properties.
Kindiki's warning
"All persons, including current and former political leaders and public office holders, have an obligation to follow the law. Retired office holders, including former Presidents, Governors, MPs, or MCAs, must allow their successors to execute their mandate and not resort to blackmail, sabotage, or other unorthodox means to derail them.
"The government respects and upholds the Constitution and all its provisions, including the freedom of association and assembly, the right to demonstrate, picket, and petition.
"The government has not banned public rallies and gatherings. The Public Order Act clearly allows such rallies to be held between 6am and 6pm. However, anyone planning to cause chaos, sabotage the economy, or engage in lawlessness will be dealt with firmly and decisively, in accordance with the law," Kindiki said in a statement.
Kindiki's warning comes at a time when the opposition, the Azimio La Umoja-Kenya Kwanza coalition, has planned to hold a three-day protest starting next week.
"Anyone planning to paralyse the economy, injure innocent citizens, loot private property, or vandalise public property on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or any other day, not just in Nairobi but across the 47 Counties in the country, will be dealt with accordingly," he added. 
Ruto's take
Kindiki's utterances come after President William Ruto warned against the planned protests by his opponents.
"It’s impossible to use demonstrations to destroy property and cause loss of life just because a few individuals want to advance their political agenda.
"Politics is driven by political agenda, not demonstrations. So we must agree, and I want to tell Kenyans that we will mobilize all resources to protect the property and lives of every Kenyan," Ruto said.
Before the last demonstrations were held, the Inspector General of Police, Japet Koome, banned the rallies. While outlawing the demonstration, the IG said Azimio had not filed a notification at any police station to hold the meetings. 
Raila Odinga finally cancelled the planned Kamukunji rally as he cited insecurity, claiming that goons had been planted at the meeting place to injure their supporters and opposition leaders.
The opposition has intensified its protests as they oppose various moves by the Kenya Kwanza government, including the passage and eventual presidential assent of the Finance Bill. The high cost of living has also been cited by Azimio as one of the reasons why they have resorted to public disobedience.
