Nairobi Regional police commander Issa Mohamud with other senior police officers during a past meeting/COURTESYLarge political rallies will not be allowed in Nairobi's CBD, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has said, warning organisers that security officers will enforce the directive.
Mohamud said the decision was reached by the Nairobi Regional Security Committee as authorities moved to protect businesses, movement and the rights of other people who use the CBD.
The warning comes ahead of a planned Linda Mwananchi rally in Nairobi on Sunday, although Mohamud did not specifically mention the group when announcing the directive.
He said the CBD was a critical national commercial and public space used by millions of people, including workers, traders, families, tourists, worshippers, visitors and content creators.
“Within the Nairobi Regional Security Committee team, a resolution has been made that large political rallies will not be permitted around the CBD,” Mohamud said.
“The CBD is a critical national commercial and public space. It serves workers, businesses, families, tourists, worshippers, visitors, content creators, among millions of other users.”
He warned political groups against defying the directive, saying police would take action against anyone attempting to hold a large rally in the city centre.
“We will not allow anybody to make a political party. We'll deal with you properly,” he said.
Mohamud, however, said the directive was not aimed at denying Kenyans their constitutional rights, but at balancing political freedoms with the rights of other citizens.
“Our position is therefore not intended to deny anyone their right. It is intended to ensure that public order, business continuity, movement, and the rights of other citizens are protected,” he said.
He said Sundays were particularly busy in the CBD, with large numbers of families and young people expected to visit the city centre.
“We are protecting the rights of these groups. That is the businesses and our families. Families come on Sunday; millions and millions of people will come to the CBD on Sunday, and youth also,” Mohamud said.
The police commander also gave an update on cases involving foreign nationals who have reportedly been assaulted, robbed or threatened in Nairobi amid heightened tensions surrounding the presence of foreigners in some businesses.
He said police had recorded several cases and arrested suspects, with some matters already before the courts.
At Central Police Station, Mohamud said 18 cases involving foreign nationals had been recorded, with 11 cases before court.
The victims included Burundian, Chinese and Somali nationals.
He said police were also pursuing cases involving threats circulated on social media.
In one case, four suspects were arrested and charged over incidents involving foreign nationals, while another case in Kilimani involved a person accused of threatening Burundian nationals through social media.
Mohamud said investigations into attacks and threats against foreigners were ongoing and that police had intensified efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible.
He said the situation involving Burundian nationals had started improving following the arrests and investigations.
“The status of the Burundian nationals who were concerned is now going down. Serious investigations of cases,” he said.
The commander urged residents to report incidents to police instead of taking the law into their own hands, saying security agencies would continue pursuing those suspected of attacking, robbing or threatening foreign nationals.
