The National Police Service has been officially notified by of their intention to hold a peaceful Saba Saba Day procession to Parliament next week Tuesday, where they plan to present a petition demanding action over alleged human rights violations.
In a notice dated July 5 by the Mtetezi Grassroots and Economic Justice Movement Leader Francis Awino addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the Regional Police Commander, the Officer Commanding Police Division (Central) and the Officer Commanding Station (Central Police Station), the organizers said the demonstration is being conducted under Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, demonstration and presentation of petitions.
According to the notice, participants will begin assembling at Jeevanjee Gardens from 8:00 a.m., with the procession scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. The march will proceed through Nairobi’s Central Business District to Parliament Buildings, where the petition will be presented to the Speakers and Members of both the National Assembly and the Senate.
The organizers said the demonstration aims to commemorate Saba Saba Day while exercising constitutional rights under Articles 37 and 119 to petition Parliament on matters of public interest.
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Awino shared that the petition seeks Parliamentary intervention over allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force by security agencies, inadequate police accountability mechanisms, and the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights and the rule of law.
He further pointed out that it calls on Parliament to strengthen oversight institutions, review existing laws and enact legislative measures to safeguard constitutional freedoms.
The group has estimated that between 1,000 and 3,000 people, including members of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, youth groups, religious organizations, professionals, students and members of the public, will participate in the procession.
They also pledged to ensure the procession remains peaceful, orderly and unarmed, saying volunteer marshals will be deployed to coordinate participants and assist with crowd management. The organizers committed to cooperating with the National Police Service in maintaining public order and safety throughout the event.
In the notice, Awino has urged the National Police Service to facilitate the peaceful exercise of constitutional rights by providing adequate security and traffic management during the procession.
The copies have also been sent to the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
