Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged Parliament to develop a clear and comprehensive law to govern peaceful protests in Kenya. Speaking during a visit to traders whose businesses were destroyed during recent demonstrations, Murkomen stressed that the government does not have a budget to compensate victims of protest-related losses.
He argued that while the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Constitution, there must be accountability when protests lead to violence and destruction of property. Murkomen highlighted the need for specific legal provisions to hold organisers responsible for any damages caused, and to ensure that protests remain non-violent.
He praised the professionalism of the National Police Service, though he also criticized the tolerance shown to protestors who threaten to invade public offices — an act he described as unacceptable and one that would not be tolerated in other democracies like the United States or the United Kingdom.
His remarks come amid ongoing tensions following a wave of protests largely led by young people, some of which have turned violent and resulted in deaths and property damage. Critics, including human rights groups and legal experts, have warned that new laws could be used to stifle dissent and limit freedom of expression.
Murkomen’s call highlights the delicate balance between safeguarding constitutional freedoms and maintaining public order — an issue that continues to divide opinion in Kenya.
Image Credits: https://www.kbc.co.ke
