Azimio to police: We will present our petition to State House on Monday
The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party has notified the Nairobi Central Police Station of its intention to deliver a formal petition to the President at State House Nairobi on Monday, March 27.
“In the course of the said meeting/procession on March 27, we intend to submit a written petition to the presidency at State House Nairobi,” a letter signed by Wycliffe Oparanya, the chairperson of the Azimio Executive Council reads in part.
The letter, dated March 24, 2023, notes that the meetings and processions will take place in all streets within the police station’s jurisdiction from dawn to dusk.
The letter also asks the police to send out enough officers to ensure the attendees’ safety and crowd control.
The letter cites Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution and Section 5 of the Public Order Act, 2012 as the legal basis for informing police of the planned events.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this is not an application for permission as none is contemplated under Article 37 of the Constitution,” Oparanya added in the letter.
Despite the chaotic nature of the protests, both the ruling and opposition parties have taken a hardline stance on calls for dialogue.
Raila is demanding, among other things, that the IEBC servers be opened, that the cost of living be reduced, that food and fuel subsidies be restored, and that the process of reestablishing the electoral commission be halted immediately.
On the other hand, Ruto described the protests as a nuisance and urged Raila Odinga to face him without bothering citizens in their daily activities.