Police vow to crackdown on planned demos

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March 29, 2013

The police have consequently banned any assembly outside the premises of the Supreme Court

By Beatrice Gatonye

Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo is now raising alarm over planned demonstrations and fracas in some parts of the country following the verdict of the Supreme Court on Saturday. 

Kimaiyo says the national police service has information that in Nairobi, University students, Trade Unions and Civil Society have been mobilized to support the intended demonstrations.

The police boss has also disclosed that criminal gangs will be used in the fracas with reports of weapons being distributed to various parts of the county including Kibera, Mathare, Dandora and even the Coastal region.

Kimaiyo has now directed that no gathering shall be allowed outside the Supreme Court on Saturday and instead urged the public to follow the proceedings on television.

Elsewhere, angry business men and residents of NCCK market in Buruburu engaged police in running battles for the better part of the day protesting the demolition of their stalls they have operated for more than three decades.

Transport along Jogoo road was paralyzed when rioting youth blocked the busy road. Residents claimed the eviction is illegal being done in favour of one private developer.
The market has been standing for more than three decades where several families eked their livelihood.

It is alleged that the land set aside to assist families living in this locality earn a living but a city council official sold it out illegally instead of giving priority to the people living here.

Residents claimed they are the rightful owners of the piece of land saying they have occupied the land for more than 30 years.

Police fired tear gas canisters to disperse angry rioters who brought business to a standstill.

Despite heavy presence of security officers the residents said they will not relent in fighting for what they termed as the right to own the disputed land.