Demos offered lessons on how not to organise and police public protests

Police officers trying to calm down an irate crowd surging forward in Eastleigh during the Azimio la Umoja demonstrations. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

Last weekend's softening of positions by President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga was welcomed by most, if not all, Kenyans and friends of Kenya. However, the protests and their effects drastically disrupted commerce, learning and the ability to work within the affected areas, especially on Mondays and Thursdays.

They proposed a bipartisan parliamentary framework to resolve the identified issues, including appointing the chairperson and members of the (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission) IEBC. As with the late November 1997 Inter-parties Parliamentary Group (IPPG) process, the current circumstances are similar to those that fostered dialogue and legal reform following a similar stalemate which was accompanied by street protests and violence before the truce was called, and crucial amendments were made to laws curtailing opposition political activity.