- Masengeli intimated that security will be heightened across the country though not to an extent that is out of the ordinary.
- Masengeli said Kenyans are at liberty to demonstrate but peacefully and reiterated that all Kenyans have to live by the rule of law.
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Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli on Tuesday met top police commanders to among other things prepare for the planned protests against the government.
He assured National Police Service's preparedness to maintain peace across the country as groups plan for another round of anti-government demonstrations on Thursday, dubbed 'NaneNanemarch'.
Speaking at the National Police Service Campus, Embakasi, after talks with regional police bosses, Masengeli intimated that security will be heightened across the country though not to an extent that is out of the ordinary.
“Every Kenyan as per the law has liberty to demonstrate, picket and assemble as per the law. That one everyone is very much aware of and where the privilege of one ends is where the other starts,” he said.
Masengeli said Kenyans are at liberty to demonstrate but peacefully and reiterated that all Kenyans have to live by the rule of law.
"We are governmened by the Rome statute and the Kenyan Constitution," he said, and affirmed that criminal elements will be dealt with firmly.
"On Gen Zs, they have a message and they have been heard. It is upon us now to differentiate between Gen Zs and opportunists who take advantage of those riots to cause mayhem, destruction of property and acts of violence that are not allowed by the Law," the acting IG said.
He urged Kenyans planning to partake in the planned Nane Nane protests to do so in adherence with the law.
"This is a country governed by democracy and the constitution," the acting Police IG emphasised.
The meeting discussions also centered on the operational and logistical challenges facing officers in their jurisdictions and how to address them to ensure efficiency within the NPS.
The meeting dubbed "National Security Situation - Challenges, Opportunities and Strategies" was meant to review some of the pressing security challenges facing the country and requiring immediate attention amongst them the rise in civil unrest, cybercrime and acts of terrorism.
Masengeli used the opportunity to interact for the first time with his ground commanders as he seeks to affirm his brief grip on the service before a substantive IG of police is appointed.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the National Police Service(NPS) to collaborate with other actors within the criminal Justice system to serve Kenyans better.
The Acting IG, who doubles up as the Deputy Inspector General of the Adminitration Police, singled out the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions(ODPP) and prisons as key partners with who NPS will strive to enhance cooperation.
“I wish to reaffirm our commitment as a service to partnering with other criminal justice system agencies including the Judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kenya Prisons Service and the wider National Council on Administration of Justice umbrella,” he said.
The acting IG said policing in an increasingly complex environment presents unique challenges and encouraged police officers to rethink their approach to tackling the present challenges.
He appealed to all security commanders to ensure that the decisions they make in the course of their duties are executed within in the law.