Police officers during protests in Nairobi on Tuesday. Photo: AFP.
After calling on government to respect the right of assembly and protests as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 by 12 Western embassies in the country, Belgut lawmaker Nelson Koech has faulted the statement, arguing that undermines the sovereignty of Kenya.
In a statement by the National Assembly’s Committee on Defense, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Chair, Koech says that the foreign embassies have recently been talking on issues of the country in ways that could escalate situations in the country, including affecting diplomatic ties.
“We are however, concerned by the growing trend of external actors commenting on Kenya’s internal governance with tones that, while well-intentioned, risk eroding the principle of sovereign equality and underpins diplomatic ties,” Koech stated.
According to Koech, the activities of the police during protests are guarded by the rule of law, which is to maintain law and order, protect livelihoods of Kenyans and ensure the country is stable. He added that all their conduct are overseen by other arms of government, as well as civic authorized groups.
“Security operations conducted by the State must always be governed by the rule of law. In the same breath, the State is duty-bound to maintain public order and protect lives, property and national stability, especially in moments where genuine civic action risks being hijacked by criminal or violent elements. They are subject to oversight by our judiciary, Parliament and civilian commissions,” he explained.
In their statement Western diplomats had asked the government to deploy officers without masks, and vehicles with visible registration during protests as earlier ruled by the court, to avoid creating mistrust and unnecessary alarm by protesters.
Irked by the mention of hired goons, Koech stated that the statement reflected a more activist and support of the protests, urging that Kenya respects democracy and not instigated civic activities.
” In referring to “hired goons” and covert operations, the joint statement treads dangerously close to adopting the language of activists and partisan actors. Kenya welcomes dialogue, not echo chambers. We continue to embrace democracy, not at the urging of others, but by the will of its people,” Koech remarked.
