NewzNAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5 – The National Police Service has warned politicians and their supporters against violence, political intolerance and the use of criminal gangs as the country enters the electioneering period. In a statement issued on Saturday, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja said the service would strictly enforce the Public Order Act and deal with individuals found engaging in violence, incitement or disrupting lawful political gatherings. The police also reminded organisers of political meetings and processions that they are required by law to notify the regulating officer at least three days, and not more than 14 days, before the planned event.
The notification should be made to the officer in charge of the police station in the area where the meeting or procession is to take place. Under Section 5 of the Public Order Act, organisers are required to provide their full names and physical addresses, as well as details of the proposed venue or, in the case of a procession, the intended route. They must also specify the proposed date and time of the event, which the law limits to between 6am and 6pm.
The police said the notification requirement was necessary to allow them to plan security and prevent clashes where rival groups seek to hold events at the same venue and time. “If it is not possible to hold the proposed meeting or procession because notice of another event has already been received for the same date, time and venue, the regulating officer shall promptly inform the organiser,” the NPS said, citing the law. The service further warned that once an organiser has been notified that an event cannot proceed at the proposed venue, date or time, the gathering should not take place as initially planned.
An organiser may, however, notify the authorities of a future date for the meeting or procession, subject to the requirements of the Public Order Act. The warning comes against the backdrop of increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with parties and political leaders already stepping up mobilisation across the country. The NPS said incidents of political intolerance, violence and thuggery had been witnessed in different parts of the country, warning that such behaviour could undermine public order and national cohesion.
It also stressed that political activity must be conducted within the constitutional framework … NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 5-The National Police Service has warned political leaders and their supporters against violence, incitement and unlawful gatherings, saying no one will be shielded from prosecution as Kenya enters an increasingly active electioneering period. The NPS said it would strictly enforce the Public Order Act while maintaining political neutrality and protecting citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, association and participation in political activities.
The warning comes amid what the police described as incidents of political intolerance, violence and thuggery reported in various parts of the country. “Individuals found to be engaging in acts of violence, sponsoring criminal gangs, inciting supporters, or disrupting lawful gatherings will be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law,” NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said. The Service emphasised that political affiliation, social status or public office would not protect anyone found to have violated the law.
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