- The warning comes hours before the Gen Z protesters are expected to pour onto the streets on Tuesday.
- Kanja said the Protected Areas Act Cap 204 prevents the entry of unauthorised persons into areas which have been declared to be protected areas.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Police have told protesters their right to demonstrate under Article 37 of the Constitution will be respected as they plan to hold fresh demonstrations on Tuesday.
Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has, however, reminded the protesters that bridging security and venturing into protected areas is an offence punishable by law.
It follows fears that Gen Z protesters could make real their threat and storm the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a facility Kanja says is a protected area.
“In light of the demonstrations planned for July 23, 2024, it is critical to firmly remind the public of the legal boundaries that govern access to protected areas,” Kanja said in a statement Tuesday evening.
He explained that the Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of Kenya prevents the entry of unauthorised persons into areas which have been declared to be protected areas.
“Protected Areas Order as clarified under its Legal Notice No. 9 of 2011, Second Schedule, include LPG Plant, the Bitumen Plant and Petroleum depots situated at the Embakasi Aviation Depot (JKIA),” he said.
Kanja further enumerated that Section 58 of the Kenya Civil Aviation Act No. 21 of 2013 on trespass provides that any person who trespasses on any land forming part of a government airfield or a licensed airfield commits an offence punishable by law.
“We urge all individuals participating in demonstrations to respect these legal provisions and refrain from attempting to enter or interfere with protected areas. The National Police Service is resolute in its commitment to uphold and enforce these laws,” Kanja warned.
The warning comes hours before the Gen Z protesters are expected to pour onto the streets on Tuesday in a continued show of dissatisfaction with the measures the government has taken in addressing their grievances.
President William Ruto on June 26 withdrew the Finance Bill, 2024 and followed it up with the sacking of his entire Cabinet which the lot had accused of inefficiency and opulence as the rest of the country grappled with the rising cost of living.
They also demanded that the government take full responsibility for protesters who died during the protests and that their families be compensated and officers found culpable held to account.
These demands and Ruto's decision to name part of the CSs he had dismissed in his new-look Cabinet sparked outrage with the Gen Z vowing to return to the streets to express their anger.
But a tough-talking Ruto on Sunday warned that he will not tolerate the continued destruction of property in the guise of a people exercising their democratic right to picket.
“Enough is enough,” Ruto said while speaking in Bomet after a Sunday service.
“Going forward, we will protect the nation; we will protect life, we will protect property, we will stop the looters, we will stop the killers, we will stop anarchy because Kenya is a democracy and we want a peaceful stable nation,” he said.
The clergy has, however, urged the police to exercise restraint and avoid responding to protesters in a provocative manner that may ignite acts of lawlessness amongst the masses.