Why Police Will not be Stopping Political Rallies

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 –Police department has defended the decision to leave politicians free to conduct their political rallies.

Spokesman Bruno Shioso has stated that it is not possible to stop the rallies because of the huge numbers of fans who turn up to follow proceedings.

He was responding to public questions in an interview with a local station where he added that it is not easy to contain the large number of people who emerge to listen to their favourite politicians and even if arrested it would not be possible to take them anywhere and charge them.

“Some of these rallies have so many Kenyans. We have those kinds of challenges, so even if you arrest them, where do you take them in the first place?” he asked.

He however added that the only possibility for arrests is when the group is smaller and manageable. He warned that they will not relent in making the arrests whenever its appropriate.

“But if we get a small number of people and politicians in an event, we shall be able to arrest them,” he added.

The spokesman also argued that some political rallies are a must they must just be allowed to proceed because of public interest.

“We look at it and find that it’s very challenging given the public interest and other issues. Police operate on the principle of discretion. So you weigh the situation, analyze and see what you can do and what you can’t do,” stated the spokesperson.

Shioso was saying this just hours after the trio of President Uhuru Kenyatta, former premier Raila Odinga and DP William Ruto had separate events across the country.

Members of the public told him that the department has been applying double standards when it comes to enforcing law and order this Covid-19 pandemic period.