Image: ENOS TECHE
On August 8, 2024, Kenya saw a series of protests known as the Nane Nane demonstrations, which led to a significant number of arrests and drew attention to the ongoing discussions about police conduct and democratic freedoms.
The protests, held across various regions of Kenya, were largely peaceful but resulted in the arrest of 174 individuals.
Nairobi, being the epicenter of these demonstrations, accounted for the highest number of arrests with 126 people detained. Kitengela and Emali-Makueni followed with 22 and 26 arrests, respectively.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, praised the overall peaceful nature of the protests and commended Kenyans for maintaining order.
He emphasized the police force's commitment to democratic principles, professional conduct, and the rule of law.
According to Masengeli, the country remained largely peaceful, with normalcy prevailing, except in Nairobi, where one police officer was injured during the demonstrations.
The Nane Nane protests were organized under the hashtag #NaneNanemarch, calling for various reforms in the government.
Although the demonstrations were mostly orderly, the police took proactive measures to prevent any potential disruptions.
This included blocking major routes leading to Nairobi’s central business district, such as Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Ngong Road, Jogoo Road, and Langata Road.
The police used teargas to disperse gatherings and ordered public service vehicles to turn back to avoid congestion and potential violence.
Despite these measures, there were accusations of excessive force. Human rights organizations condemned the police’s actions, arguing that the use of teargas and roadblocks was overly harsh.
The police had been warned of potential security threats and attempts by criminals to infiltrate the protests and cause chaos. This led to heightened security measures and a strict approach to crowd control.
An incident involving a car linked to businessman Jimi Wanjigi added to the controversy. The police reported finding several teargas canisters and other equipment in the vehicle, claiming it was part of a scheme to disrupt the protests.
Wanjigi denied these allegations, and the situation further fueled debates about police actions and the handling of public demonstrations.
The police’s approach to managing the protests reflects their commitment to ensuring public safety while also maintaining order during potentially volatile situations.
Acting IG Masengeli stressed the importance of upholding democratic rights, specifically highlighting Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees citizens the right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully.
However, the challenges faced during the Nane Nane protests underline the delicate balance between ensuring public safety and respecting democratic freedoms.
The protests, which sought to address various issues within the government, were a demonstration of the vibrant civic engagement in Kenya.
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