A Kenyan court has suspended police ban to stop demonstrations as the government makes effort to quell ongoing protests.
Police had announced the ban on protests in the centre of the capital, Nairobi, and surrounding areas “until further notice”.
The ban was triggered by protesters plan to gather on Thursday at Uhuru Park in the city centre, before matching to the president’s official residence, State House.
On Wednesday night, the police said “no demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety”.
The police cited the leaderless nature of the protests that have made it difficult to enforce safety.
Angry reactions
The ban sparked outrage online with some arguing that the police do not have such powers.
There was a heavy police presence in the capital in anticipation of the protests which were planned in Nairobi and surrounding areas.
In a statement, the police said the decision was taken after receiving “credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests”.
“Criminals have continued to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of disorderly and destructive conduct,” the statement said.
It added that its decision had also been informed by “the lack of designated leadership in previous demonstrations” that had “made it difficult to enforce safety protocols”.
Since the protests began, the president has caved in to some of the protester’s demands, including dropping the contentious finance bill and firing his entire cabinet.
The head of the police also resigned. But people have been calling for more action against bad governance and corruption and for police to account for the deaths of dozens of demonstrators at recent rallies.
Scores of people have died since anti-protests begun a month ago. Nairobi city centre has been the heart of the youth-led protests, which have also taken place across the country.
The protests began against unpopular tax rises but after they were withdrawn have broadened out, including demands for President William Ruto to resign.
The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said at least 50 protesters have been killed and 413 injured since the protests started on 18 June.
Source: Africafeeds.com
