Today's demos should not lead to loss of lives

Azimio supporters being water sprayed by anti-riot police officers as they forcefully tried to acces Nairobi's CBD area during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2023. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Today marks another day of opposition demonstrations across the country. Azimio la Umoja has called for countrywide demonstrations to pressure President William Ruto to suspend the Finance Act 2023, among other issues. Litigants, among them Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, have challenged the Act in court, leading to its temporary suspension.

The Bill of Rights in the Kenya Constitution 2010 recognises the right of citizens to picket, but gives parameters within which such action should be taken in order not to trample on the rights of other citizens. Unfortunately, this provision is at the risk of being negated for political expediency as the government and opposition jostle for advantage.