In Summary
- Activists demand amendment of Article 37 to have demonstrations controlled.
- The petitioner says that Article 37 holds the state at ransom.
Activists have now petitioned Parliament seeking review of article 37 that legislates demonstrations.
According to Consortium of the Independent Candidates chairman George Bush, Article 37 does not give a clear enactment and how it should be exercised.
He argues that the section of the law holds the country at ransom as witnessed in Azimio demos.
“That we propose the enactment of a legislation that will provide for among others; No holding of public demonstrations in residential areas, no holding of demonstrations in Commercial areas, no vandalizing public facilities, no targeting business and business people, No holding demonstrations in all major towns in Kenya, no holding public demonstrations in major towns,” the petition reads in part.
He wants the section to be amended to have planners of demonstration to take full responsibility of damages and costs incurred during demonstrations.
“Designation and gazettement of zones for holding demonstrations in the Kenya Gazette. Public demonstrations should be public grounds far away from hospitals, schools, and other vital facilities.” It states.
Similar proposals have been made by interior cabinet secretary Kithure Kindiki who vowed to take his amendment suggestions to parliament soonest saying the Azimio demonstrations curtailed other peoples’ right.
Raila’s Plea to State
Meanwhile ODM leader Raila Odinga has called on the government to pay the medical and funeral bills for the demonstrators accusing the police of violating their rights.
Odinga visited those who got injuries during the demos in various city hospitals including Mbagathi and Kenyatta National Hospital.
“We have resolved that the state must immediately take up the cost or waive all medical bills of the victims of police brutality including journalists, and the last expense costs of those who lost their lives,” he said.
“We have seen too much brutality since Inspector General of police Japhet Koome took charge, it is worse than the days of dictatorships in this country,” Raila added.
By Allan Otieno
