Kenyans have a right to protest – Wanga tells Kenya Kwanza

Kenya Kwanza administration has no mandate to stop peaceful protests unless Kenyans change the current Constitution, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has said.

Wanga said Article 37 of the constitution provides Kenyans with freedom to demonstrate and protest peacefully.

She said there is no need for the government and the police to use excessive force when handling Kenyans who are exercising their right by demonstrating.

Complaints have been raised since last week when a section of Azimio supporters who engaged in protests were allegedly shot by the anti-riot police.

Some of the supporters died while others sustained bullet and atrocious injuries.

Wanga raised concerns that some Kenyans were targeted in regard to the way they were injured.

“Unless section 37 of the supreme law is repealed, nobody can deny Kenyans the right to protest peacefully. Police shouldn’t also act with impunity when handling protesters,” Wanga said.     

Speaking on Sunday when he visited some victims of police brutality at Shauri Yako in Homa Bay town, Wanga argued that ant-riot police handled protestors in the Nyanza region with ulterior motives.

The governor was accompanied by former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi, Homa Bay County Assembly Speaker Julius Gaya and Majority Leader Richard Ogindo.

They accused the police of causing deaths and injuries to Kenyans including those who did not participate in the three days anti-government protests.

She expressed concerns that she claimed that police were ordered to shoot and kill protestors in the region.

“It is very wrong and unacceptable for the police to act as if they had orders to shoot and kill.  We’re all brothers and sisters and we have the right to live in Kenya,” she said.

She appealed to the police to stop the intention of brutalizing the people who participate in the peaceful demonstrations.

The governor urged the Kenya Kwanza administration and the police to uphold the rule of law and stop violating the rights of Kenyans who are harmless during protests.

She said carrying out atrocities on people who demonstrate peacefully is tantamount to a violation of human rights.

“We are appealing to the police to stop shooting people when they are picketing. The pattern of accessing homes of innocent Kenyans and brutalizing them is a bad intention and must be stopped,” she said.

During the visit, the Kenya Kawnza government was also accused of going against promises it gave the common man “the hustlers”.

Wanga said the administration has failed to lower the cost of living as it promised, adding that both personal and food security are paramount to Kenyans and their elected leaders.

Wanga is among governors whose security officers were withdrawn.

Others are James Orengo of Siaya, Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) and Anyang’ Nyong’o of Kisumu.

 “Why is it that only Nyong’o, Ayacko, Orengo and I are the governors whose security officers have been withdrawn? We demand an explanation from the government on that,” Wanga said.

Muriithi told senior government officers to understand that power is transient hence they should not mistreat the people.

“The people who are in government today will also get out of power. Let them handle the people constitutionally,” Muriithi said.

Gaya and Ogindo told the police to stop excessive force on the people.

“What we have seen is very sad. Let police stop killing innocent people,” Gaya said.

Ogindo said it is important for police to protect the lives of the people.

“Let police officers respect the sanctity of human lives,” Ogindo said.   BY THE STAR