Demos: Protesters, police must behave maturely

 

Police officers arrest a protestor during the Azimio la Umoja anti-government demonstrations in Mathare North, Nairobi on March 30, 2023. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Tomorrow is the seventh day of the seventh month - Saba Saba, a day that conjures bitter-sweet memories of the intense fight for multi-party democracy in the ‘90s.

This is the day that Azimio Alliance has picked to launch countrywide protests against a raft of grievances, top among them, the finance law and the high cost of living. No one can begrudge Azimio supporters and other Kenyans who were to part of the protests their Constitution-given right to protest, and President William Ruto said as much during a press interview in France recently.

The fight for multi-party democracy, heralded by Saba Saba, was a notable phase of our country’s democratic history, but also a bloody one. Tens of Kenyans’ lives were lost and properties looted in the process, which put a stain on what was arguably Kenya’s second liberation.

Tomorrow’s planned demonstrations therefore bring back a mix of emotions, both in those that lost their loved ones to police shootings and brutality during the Saba Saba demonstrations three decades ago and those that lost their property to wanton destruction that was witnessed. The victory for democracy was great, but the scars remain.

Unfortunately, the trend has remained the same, with theft and destruction of property and needless loss of lives staining most political demonstrations, including the recent ones called by Azimio, where lives were lost, property destroyed and even Azimio leader Raila Odinga alleged that there was an attempt on his life.

It is therefore fitting to remind all the parties involved - the State security operators, the demonstrations organisers and the demonstrators themselves, that the blood of those who have perished during similar demos must be respected by a commitment from all parties that no blood will be shed on the streets again.

Democracy has no space for violence therefore police and demonstrators must conduct themselves with dignity during protest demonstrations.