The Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja speaking at a past event / FILEThe National Police Service has reminded political leaders and organisers of public meetings to notify police between three and 14 days before holding rallies, processions or other public gatherings.
In a statement on Saturday, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the requirement was provided for under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and would be strictly enforced as the country enters the electioneering period.
Nyaga said organisers are required to notify the regulating officer, who is the officer in charge of the police station in the area where the proposed meeting or procession is to take place.
“Any person intending to convene a public meeting or procession must adhere to the requirement to notify the regulating officer of that intention at least three days, and no more than fourteen days, before the proposed date of the event,” Nyaga said.
The notification must provide details including the organiser’s full name and physical address, as well as the proposed venue for a meeting or the route to be followed in the case of a procession.
Organisers are also required to indicate the proposed date and time of the event, with the law providing that public meetings and processions should be held between 6am and 6pm.
The spokesperson said the notification requirement was important in enabling police to plan security arrangements and prevent clashes between competing political gatherings.
“It is worth appreciating that a notification and subsequent confirmation of all intended meetings by actors across the political divide to the authorised officer serve as a proper and legitimate step in enabling the police to carry out effective and informed security coverage,” he said.
The NPS stressed that the provisions would become particularly important as political activity intensifies ahead of the next general election.
It flagged incidents of political intolerance, violence and thuggery in various parts of the country, warning that such conduct threatened public order and national cohesion.
“Such conduct undermines public order, threatens national cohesion, and infringes upon the constitutional rights of citizens to associate peacefully, assemble, and participate in political activities,” the statement added.
Organisers, the service added, would not be allowed to proceed with gatherings where another event had already been notified for the same date, time and venue.
The statement notes that, Under Section 5(4) of the Act, the regulating officer is required to promptly inform an organiser where it is not possible to hold the proposed meeting or procession because another event has already been notified for the same date, time and venue.
Further, an organiser who receives such notification cannot proceed with the event at the originally proposed time, date or venue.
However, the organiser may notify police of a future date for the gathering in accordance with the law.
The NPS also warned political leaders, their supporters and other stakeholders against violence, incitement and disruption of lawful gatherings.
“No person, regardless of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law,” Nyaga said.
He said individuals found engaging in violence, sponsoring criminal gangs, inciting supporters or disrupting lawful gatherings would face action in accordance with the law.
The Service reaffirmed that it would remain apolitical and impartial in enforcing the law, saying its operations would continue to be guided by respect for human rights, dignity and accountability.
Nyaga urged political actors across the divide to exercise restraint and respect the law to create a peaceful environment as the country moves deeper into the electioneering period.
