Interior cabinet secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has signaled that the government may adopt stricter measures in managing public demonstrations after benchmarking visits in New York and London.

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Speaking at State House on Monday, June 15, during the presentation of a report on the Framework for Reparations for Victims of Human Rights Violations, Murkomen said the ministry was working on a clear structure to regulate the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket as guaranteed under the constitution.

He emphasised that while Kenyans have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, the government is seeking mechanisms that distinguish between lawful demonstrators and individuals who exploit protests to engage in criminal activity.

“The right to assemble, demonstrate, and picket must be implemented fully as enacted in the constitution. However, it is important we have a clear framework that allows Kenyans to enjoy their right and we can be able to differentiate goons from those enjoying this right,” Murkomen stated.

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The measures, the CS said, were drawn from how the United States and England managed protesters previously.

According to Murkomen, authorities in the UK reportedly take firm action against individuals involved in violence during protests, particularly those found carrying weapons or engaging in criminal conduct.

Such jurisdictions, he added, maintain a clear separation between the exercise of democratic rights and acts that threaten public safety and order.

“If they see any demonstrator carrying any weapon, they take the severest measures against those criminals,” he added.

During the visit, the Kenyan delegation also learnt the technological advances of the two law enforcement agencies, as the ministry prepares to roll out the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit.

Among the areas the ministry is considering to copy is the New York Police Department's reliance on real-time dat a and intelligence gathering to enhance decision-making and deploy officers more effectively.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke