Stop these protests, we need our city back

The right to swing your hands ends where my nose begins. This is exactly what National Super Alliance (NASA) supporters, more so its leaders, should be made to understand in no uncertain terms.

Yes, protests, picketing and demonstrations are sacred. They are enshrined in the law. They are a right enjoyed by every citizen. The world over, protesting is accepted as a way for aggrieved citizens to air their frustrations with the ruling elite. And they do work.

Granted, NASA supporters have a lot to protest against. It is their constitutionally given right. But the same constitution also guarantees the safety of all Kenyans, whom it says are free to go about their lives and daily businesses peacefully.

It gives every Kenyan the right to own property in any part of our vast and beautiful country. That right also guarantees that a Kenyan’s property must be protected by all means.

Legal minds

It is the duty of the Government to protect its citizens and their property. NASA, with its legion of brilliant legal minds, knows this. Yet they choose to look the other way when the rights of non-NASA supporters are threatened.

The current constitutional standoff is bringing out the true colours of hitertho respected leaders.

Opposition chiefs are slowly turning out to be hypocrites, choosing to adhere to provisions of the law that serve their interests while turning a blind eye to those articles that call their bluff.

NASA should not purport to interpret the Constitution through articles that only favour its cause.

They want us to believe that their presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s withdrawal from the repeat presidential race automatically calls for fresh elections in 90 days, and that there will be no election on October 26. That serves their purpose.

But when the Government moves in to protect other Kenyans from their marauding protesters, NASA principal Moses Wetang’ula and chief legal mind James Orengo are more than happy to look the other way.

They are quick to dismiss Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s directive as unconstitutional knowing very well that sections of the Constitution require him, as the person in charge of security, to ensure peace for all Kenyans.

The Opposition protests are turning uglier as the days go by. Those of us that work in the city centre, especially the area around Anniversary Towers – the building that houses the electoral commission – have felt the protests more than anyone else.

Endless noise. The pungent smell of teargas that just won’t go away for hours. Running battles. Looting and pick-pocketing. Chaos and mayhem. Violence.

For how long should we condone this, now that NASA seems keen to subject us to it every working day?

But the most important question begs: Why can’t Raila and his fellow NASA principals rein in their supporters to observe and maintain peace and order as they demonstrate? Must political protests turn violent and deadly?

Of particular concern is the NASA principals’ total no-show in the protests. Why have Raila and his co-principals, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula not shown up? And did anyone notice that the violence was more pronounced on Friday, when Raila and his running mate were out of the country?

Peace-loving Kenyans

Most peace-loving Kenyans minding our own business are tired. We can’t take these protests anymore. That is why Matiang’i and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett must shift gear. They should no longer accompany protesters to ensure their safety.

As Matiang’i said, the NASA protests are no longer peaceful. They have been turned into an avenue for looting and disturbing the peace. And they must be stopped. As Article 29 of the Constitution says, “Every person has the right not to be subjected to any form of violence from either public or private sources."

While we call on the police to exercise restraint as they handle the protesters, they must be swift, even ruthless, in ensuring that other Kenyans are not caught up in the ill motives of the demonstrators.

The line must be drawn and visible for all to see. The rights of NASA supporters to demonstrate must end where the rights of the silent majority - the peace-loving resident of Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu - begins.

We need our city back.

Ms Kibaara is a communication consultant and a Nairobi city resident