After two weeks of protests in Kenya, Azimio coalition and the government have agreed to a bipartisan engagement.
The stand by government to hold talks and the opposition decision to call off the demons have been well received by Kenyans. The church, business community and even friends of Kenya have lauded the move by President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga, terming it a patriotic.
The two leaders had agreed to have bipartisan parliamentary approach in the recruitment of the electoral commission chiefs. However this is likely to only resolve one of the many demands that Azimio has put in place. But even before the dust settles, Raila has changed the tune and asked for a national level conversation through a process a kin to the 2008 National Accord.
In his opinion, the bipartisan parliamentary approach will not resolve all the Azimio demands. The Minority leadership in Parliament has also put a doubt on the bipartisan parliamentary approach with the fear that Kenya Kwanza might take advantage of its numbers to shut down some of the Azimio proposals. There has also been a call by religious leaders and civil society actors to be enjoined in the conversation. So will this be the end of protests or a break before the resumption?
Away from the conversations by politicians, we must look back at the protests. We have to correct the wrongs, pick some lessons and hold those who committed crimes liable. According to reports, we lost over five people during the protests, including a police officer, while many other civilians and law enforcement officers were injured.
Over 25 media practitioners are also reported to have been physically attacked and their tools of trade stolen and/or broken. We witnessed property being destroyed and people looting in shops and supermakets. Northlands estate that is linked to by the Kenyatta family was also attacked, with trees being cut down and sheep stolen. Places of worship in Kibra and UDA offices in Kisumu and Siaya were also burnt.
Should we then just move on and assume all is well? Will the political conversations either through the bipartisan parliamentary approach and/or other means resolve the criminal acts we witnessed?
Raila on Tuesday visited some of the injured protesters in hospitals. Among his demands is that the government pays the hospital bills for those who were injured and cater for the burial costs of those that died. But what happens to those who caused the injuries and the deaths?
Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, on his end, has announced he will drop all the charges against the six Azimio MPs and over 200 cases against protesters. This is a great move as any peaceful protester should not have been arrested and/or prosecuted in the first place. The continued arrests and prosecution of protesters for unlawful assembly defeats the purpose and spirit of Article 37 of the Constitution.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, who had previously taken a hard stance against the protests and protesters, including “banning” them has also softened his position. He on Tuesday committed to taking action against those who perpetrated violence and committed criminal acts. He also assured the media that law enforcement officers seen attacking journalists will be dealt with.
With the above commitments by key criminal justice actors I hope everyone who committed any criminal acts will be brought took. Allegations made by the Azimio team, including Raila that there was an attempt to kill him, should be thoroughly investigated.
The law enforcement officers who attacked media actors and protesters must also be held liable. Allowing such characters to walk scot-free will not only encourage attack on journalists but create fear amongst journalists while performing their duties.
Those captured on camera looting properties, breaking into people businesses and premises as well as attacking the police and reporters should be dealt with. It is these individuals who water down the purpose of peaceful protests thus fuelling negative narratives against this right.
The ball is now on the investigative arms of the government, the Independent Police Oversight Authority, the Director of Criminal Investigation and the Police internal Unit.
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