- The police refused authorization for a gathering atUhuru Park planned by the National Alternative Alliance to tackle Kenya's joblessness issue.
- Arnold Maliba, the organizer of the rally, asserts that the event will go ahead as planned, relying on Article 37 of the Constitution, which ensures the freedom of assembly.
- The organizers alleged that the authorities were silencing them without providing any justification for the ban, which incited anger amongst the jobless young people.
- This situation has raised worries about possible confrontations occurring between demonstrators and police officials should the gathering go ahead according to schedule.
Didacus Malowa, a reporter for INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.co.ke, comes with more than three years of expertise in reporting on politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.
Nairobi A high-stakes confrontation is unfolding in Nairobi’s Central Business District following the police's refusal to grant permission for a gathering at Uhuru Park, which has led organizers to show resistance.
The rally scheduled for Monday, March 24, is being organized by the National Alternative Alliance. The event seeks to bring together unemployed Kenyans with the purpose of finding ways to address the nation’s worsening employment problem.
What prompted the unemployment protest to be organized
On Friday, March 14, the organizers sent a letter to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, informing them about their plans and requesting security support for the event.
"The rally aims to bring together unemployed Kenyans to discuss job opportunities and solutions to the ongoing unemployment crisis. Given the expected large turnout, we kindly request your office to provide adequate security to ensure a peaceful and orderly gathering. We appreciate your support in upholding law and order and look forward to your confirmation," read the letter to the police in part.
In a hand-written reply to the correspondence, however, the National Police Service (NPS) firmly denied the request by stating, "Permission not granted."
This decision has ignited anger amongst young people, who view the refusal as an effort to silence them.
Is the Uhuru Park rally still happening?
Even with the police prohibition, rally organizer Arnold Maliba maintains that the event will go ahead as planned.
Speaking to INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.co.ke Maliba rejected the police intervention, stating that the regulation mandates organizers to inform the authorities but does not require seeking formal approval.
"The police have banned this assembly, but we intend to proceed nonetheless," he stated.
He charged the authorities with misconstruing the law, referencing Article 37 from the Constitution of Kenya (2010). This article ensures the right to assemble, protest, and strike.
"When organizing events as outlined in Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution (2010), planners and hosts should inform stakeholders about their plans and security needs without seeking explicit approval. Therefore, the directive issued tonight by the relevant official, stating that permission was refused for Monday’s rally at Uhuru Park, will be completely disregarded," declared Maliba.
Other organizers have voiced similar opinions as Maliba, paving the way for a possible confrontation with police authorities.
"It seems they didn’t provide any explanation. As though they prefer not to have the topic of unemployment addressed at all," stated Morara Kebaso, a seasoned youth activist.
As the arrangements for the rally keep progressing, worries are intensifying about how the police might react if the demonstration goes ahead.
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