Anti-government protests organized by the opposition are expected to take place on Monday in Kenya.
The police, who describe the demonstrations as illegal, are on high alert.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga says citizens have the right to demonstrate and that the authorities are obliged to respect the constitutional right to peaceful protest.
Through these demonstrations, the opposition is demanding the resignation of President William Ruto. They are also protesting against the rising cost of living.
A wave of concern has swept across civil society groups following the police’s declaration that the upcoming demonstrations slated for Monday are illegal. With more than a dozen organizations expressing their worry, the move has sparked a heated debate on the right to peaceful assembly and the role of law enforcement agencies in upholding this crucial tenet of democracy.
Over the weekend, tensions escalated as President Ruto took to the podium to implore opposition leader Raila Odinga to “stop terrorizing the country”. This statement has only served to fan the flames of an already tense political climate and raise questions about the government’s commitment to fostering an environment of inclusivity and freedom of expression.