The government has begun a process to review the legal and policy framework governing public demonstrations and protests in the country.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The announcement was made by the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei on Thursday, June 11, during a high-level meeting bringing together the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders.

In a statement after the meeting, Koskei said the move is part of efforts to strengthen the implementation of Article 37 of the constitution.

The proposal is seeking to operationalise Article 37, which guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities peacefully.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the chief of staff, the review seeks to ensure that constitutional freedoms are protected while maintaining public order and safeguarding lives and property.

"We reviewed the policy architecture necessary to give effect to Article 37, constituted a multi-agency technical working group, and directed the team to prepare a revised draft informed by public memoranda and recent judicial pronouncements," Koskei stated.

The proposed framework, he said, will seek to protect peaceful demonstrators and members of the public , establish clear standards for police conduct during protests, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and isolate criminal elements who may exploit demonstrations.

The move comes amid controversy regarding protests in Kenya at a time when Kenyans stage protests against the government.

Kenya has in recent times faced mounting questions over protests, with the police largely blamed for brutality and for how they handle protests. At the same time, the protesters have been blamed for causing chaos, destroying properties, and attacking officers during protests instead of demonstrating peacefully.

According to the Head of Public Service, while the constitution guarantees the right to protest, the freedoms enshrined under Article 37 carry corresponding responsibilities for both citizens and the State.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke