Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Raymond Omollo has insisted that despite opposition chief Raila Odinga postponing the countrywide anti-government demonstrations, the State will not tolerate any form of violence should the riots be reinstated.
Speaking at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on Wednesday during a meeting with National Government Administration Officers from Siaya County, Omollo appealed to opposition leaders not to incite their followers to violence whenever they have a falling-out with the ruling regime.
“I want to make a special appeal to our leaders that we need to be mindful so that if you are going to demonstrate or if you are going to ask Kenyans to go out and do the same, let’s follow the law,” he said.
“The demos must be peaceful and the police must be notified. It cannot be in this day and age that whenever there is a disagreement you resort to violence.”
The PS also emphasized that any demonstrations must be conducted within the confines of the law further noting that persons who break the law under the guise of protesting will be dealt with accordingly.
“We must abide by the rule of law. When people protest, of course the constitution is very clear, you must be unarmed and it has to be peaceful. Anything to the contrary, borders on criminal action,” said Omollo.
“If someone has destroyed property or looted, we will take them through the due process of the law. We’ve had loss of lives, destruction of property and this has largely been perpetrated by criminal elements who have taken advantage of the situation.”
He similarly urged the press to remain impartial and objective in their reporting adding that in some instances the media allegedly ‘blows things out of proportion.’
Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo, Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa and Siaya County Commissioner Jim Njoka were among the leaders who were in attendance.
