Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has urged protesters and security agents to exercise restraint and respect for one another during protests.
Speaking to the press amidst growing concern over violence and damage during protests, Mudavadi appealed to security personnel to avoid using excessive force against citizens who are exercising their constitutional right to protest.
In the meantime, he urged protesters to be considerate of the rights of other people as they protested. He stated that mutual respect among citizens and law enforcers is what will make a concrete, democratic state.
“Let us ponder and reflect on some of our actions, as we also ask the security agencies not to injure citizens when they express their constitutional right. We also, in equal measure, request the citizens, when you protest, please also respect the rights of others.
“It is that kind of respect for each other that will make Kenya great, that is the hallmark of civilised nations and democratic societies,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi raised concern over the destruction of businesses during recent protests, urging Kenyans to demonstrate responsibly. He pointed to specific incidents where property was damaged by unruly crowds, saying such actions only hurt innocent people.
“I know the Meru cooperative society suffered a serious hit because protesters decided they had an axe to grind with the government, but the Meru cooperative society became collateral,” he said.
Mudavadi noted that while the right to protest is safeguarded by the Constitution, this should not come at the expense of other individuals’ livelihoods. He spoke days after President William Ruto’s firm directive to police on how to deal with looters and arsonists who take advantage of peaceful protests.
While touring a Police Housing project in Kilimani, President Ruto instructed police to shoot such individuals in the leg, give them medical attention, and subsequently take them to court to face the law.
Both leaders called for the protection of democratic freedoms and the reign of law and order. Mudavadi concluded by asking Kenyans to demonstrate peacefully and legally without turning fellow citizens and their property into unintended victims.
