Over 15,000 police officers to secure Saba Saba rallies

Fifteen thousand police officers will provide security during Monday’s Saba Saba rally in Nairobi.

They will be stationed around the city centre with some specifically assigned to separate those attending the Uhuru Park rally from those who will be going to work or to attend to other businesses, said Nairobi Police boss Benson Kibui.

Another group will patrol major roads in the city. Yet another will be stationed in slums.

The security measures were agreed on when the Inspector General of Police, Mr David Kimaiyo, met Cord Senators James Orengo (Siaya) and Johnstone Muthama on Wednesday.

“The National Police Service will work hand in hand with the Cord organisers of the rally and the Cord secretariat to ensure that all the people who will enter the venue of the rally will be thoroughly screened for the purpose of making sure that no one enters the venue with any offensive, dangerous weapons or instruments,” Mr Kimaiyo said.

Cord has been pushing the government for talks over what its leaders say is corruption, tribalism in public appointments, insecurity and high cost of living among other grievances.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has ruled out dialogue, arguing that the opposition’s subject matters can be addressed by institutions created by the Constitution, among them Parliament.

On Thursday, Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula visited Uhuru Park to survey the venue ahead of the rally.

TENSION OVER VENUE DEFUSED

In a related development, the Jubilee Coalition defused tension over the venue, saying none of its affiliate parties had booked Uhuru Park for Monday. However, a group calling itself the Mavuno Youth Congress said it had a meeting scheduled there on Monday but Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero said Cord had been allowed to use the park.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has told flower farm workers to stay put and asked the police to protect them amid reports that some families were fleeing due to uncertainty over the Saba Saba rally.

The newly formed public sector workers union, Pussetu, also asked all civil servants to report to work on Monday and warned that any worker who absconded duty would not be protected.

In Nairobi, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance warned that the Saba Saba rally was likely to create tension and anxiety among investors and the public. They feared that the meeting could be marred by violence.

In Limuru, some tea farms and factory workers started moving out heading to their rural homes although police said their security was guaranteed.

In Bomet, workers in both public and private sectors were asked to ignore calls to boycott work. Entrepreneurs were told to keep their premises open while in Meru, the newly-posted County Commissioner, Mr Wilfred Nyagwanga, said measures had been put in place to ensure security in the county during Saba Saba Day and assured locals that there was no cause for alarm.

Elsewhere, Kisumu security chiefs warned looters ahead of Saturday’s rally in Kisumu. Police said those who engaged in acts of lawlessness would not be tolerated. Governor Jack Ranguma said enough police officers would be deployed to provide security.

In Mombasa, tourism industry players warned that the political rallies might affect international tourist bookings for the high season. They said travel agents and tour operators abroad were concerned that rising political temperatures could disrupt peace in the country.

SPECIAL FORMATION

Nakuru County Police Commander Francis Kirathe said a special security formation had been deployed in Molo, Naivasha and Nakuru towns to enhance security.

Officers from the Kenya Wildlfe Service and Kenya Forest Service rangers, NYS and Kenya Prison warders would be part of the security team following a presidential directive that all disciplined forces be involved in ensuring safety.

In Marsabit, County Police Commander Benjamin Kogo said security agents were prepared for any eventuality although no one had expressed interest in holding a rally there on Monday.

Police spokesman Masoud Mwinyi said no chaos was anticipated after the Nairobi rally but added that officers would be prepared and would be under instructions to protect life and property.

“There will be increased police visibility though we do not expect chaos. All mobile units have been activated and in case of any problem, there are measures to address it,” he said.

Officers from the General Service Unit will be on standby in the event that they are required to reinforce the regular police.

Mr Mwinyi said Cord leaders did not notify police of any demonstrations when they informed them about the rally.

“We shall not tolerate any kind of obstruction that may cause fear. We shall not tolerate law breaking. Protection of property and persons is our priority,” he said.

In a statement, Mr Kimaiyo also said: “All the people who will have been invited to the rally are advised to conduct themselves in a civil, respectful and mature manner. Those who will involve themselves in the commission of malicious damage to property, looting or in committing offences against persons will be dealt with in accordance to the law.”