Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has voiced support for peaceful protests scheduled across the country on Wednesday, emphasizing that the right to demonstrate is enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution under Article 37.
Speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony in Mombasa, Odinga called on youth planning to participate to follow due process by formally notifying the police stating this would ensure peaceful and impactful demonstrations.
“Every Kenyan has the right to peacefully picket and present petitions. But this must be done lawfully, with proper notice given to police to agree on routes and timing,” Raila said.
Odinga criticized the government’s efforts to discourage the demonstrations, warning that suppressing constitutional freedoms was not the right approach.
The planned protests, set for June 25, are meant to commemorate victims of last year’s anti-government demonstrations, where several youth reportedly lost their lives during confrontations with security forces. Marches are expected in major towns across the country.