By Jane Obila Beatrice
Many citizens of the nation have been exercising their right to peaceful protest when they feel
that something needs to be done about a problem that affects them. However, there have been
reports of demonstrations going wrong, resulting in property damage, protestor injuries, and even
protestor deaths.
This is heartbreaking because, in the democratic republic of Kenya, as stated in Article 37 of the
Constitution, people have the freedom to peacefully assemble, demonstrate, picket, and submit
petitions to public authorities. This right to peaceful assembly and protest is a fundamental
component of civic engagement.
We must stop taking the lives of individuals who go out to defend their rights when they wake up
healthy in the morning due to the careless actions of certain police officers and other violent
individuals who take advantage of the protests.
According to the Public Order Act, which mandates that protest organizers notify the police at
least three days in advance of the planned protest date— including the date, time, and estimated
number of participants— it is the protesters' responsibility to inform the appropriate authorities
about the demonstration.
To safeguard the safety of demonstrators and citizens' property, police officers must ensure that
law and order are maintained during demonstrations once the requirements of the
aforementioned Act have been fulfilled. When carrying out their duties, as outlined in Section 61
of the National Police Act, they should only use live ammunition when defending themselves or
another person from imminent danger or when saving or protecting life.
To promote a positive image of the demonstration and its goals, participants should use signs,
banners, and slogans that are courteous and relevant to the cause. They should also avoid using
offensive language or symbols.
Violence during protests harms our economy because it prevents businesses and other
developments from occurring, thereby endangering our lives. Let us work to make Kenya a safe
place for all of us.
