By Collins Wanzallah
Anti-riot police officers were on high alert in Nairobi on Tuesday following an announcement by the National Provisional Coordination Committee of People`s Assemblies (NCCPA) who had called for a nationwide protest to mark Katiba Day.
NCCPA is an organisation comprised of 54 different groups, that had earlier on Monday indicated that they were to hold mass protests in the country over the alleged disrespect for the constitution by the political elite led by President William Ruto.
Police officers in anti-riot gear were seen paroling the streets around Tom Mboya Statue, Ambassador Stage, Kencom Stage, the former Simmers restaurant area, and Jeevanjee Gardens. NCCPA, led by their spokesperson, Kasmuel McOure, in an address to the press at Chester House, Nairobi, on Monday, said that the constitution, which was promulgated in 2010 is being mutilated by politicians
Soon after their press conference, some of the members led by Prof. Fred Ogolla were arrested and taken to the central police as they were readying themselves to start collecting signatures for a referendum aimed at amending the Constitution, which they are calling the “People’s Assembly Referendum.”.
Nairobi region police commander Adamson Bungei said on the phone that police had not been notified of any demonstrations in the country and maintained that they were not going to allow any protests in the city.
Mr Bungei said that police had been mobilised to maintain peace and security, adding that there were several visiting heads of government in the city attending the unveiling of Azimio leader Raila Odinga’s quest for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.
The ceremony was held at State House in Nairobi yesterday, in attendance were several presidents, among them Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Salva Kiir (South Sudan), and the host, William Ruto.
