Murkomen: Time for clear law on peaceful protests in Kenya

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive legal framework to govern demonstrations, protests, and picketing in Kenya.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Administration Police Service Potential Instructors’ Course at the Administration Police Training College in Embakasi, Nairobi, the CS reiterated the necessity of revising the Public Order Act to promote peaceful civic expression while ensuring public safety and national order.

“To bring public order and protect our police officers, we are going to work together with Parliament to ensure there is a Public Order Act that clearly defines how demonstrations will be conducted,” Murkomen stated.

He explained that the proposed law would designate specific areas for protests and establish clear timing to minimize disruptions around critical institutions and locations. The aim, according to the CS, is to protect the rights of peaceful demonstrators while safeguarding essential public spaces and services.

“The Act will designate proper areas where people can protest and picket, ensuring that the timing of demonstrations is defined. It will specify where to protest and when demonstrations will occur, so that citizens are not inconvenienced and there are no disruptions around schools, hospitals, and residential estates.” he stated.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that the government fully respects Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, but cautioned against criminal elements who exploit protests to incite chaos, loot property, and endanger lives.

“We want to protect genuine citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional rights—and address groups that may seek to cause chaos, loot shops, and attack police stations. We want our country to be in order,” he said.

CS Murkomen envisions a Kenya where demonstrations are peaceful, organised, and dignified, with demonstrators and law enforcement working in harmony.

“It is my dream, and I hope that dream comes true soon, that we will have demonstrations, protests, and picketing in Kenya that are escorted by police. The people participating in the picketing will be carrying drums and vuvuzelas in a peaceful manner, clearly expressing what they are protesting against in an orderly manner,” he remarked.

“Article 37 of the Constitution promises demonstrations, protests, and picketing, where protesters and police officers will shake hands after the demonstrations and wish each other well as they go home,” Murkomen explained.

The Cabinet Secretary urged Parliament and the Judiciary to contribute to creating an environment that enables orderly civic expression without loss of life or destruction of property.

“We need proper demonstrations, picketing, and protests where people can make their voices heard in a peaceful manner, knowing their message has been received, not protests that result in loss of life, destruction of property, and immense suffering.” He stressed