IG Kanja: Linda Mwanachi rally in Kisumu will be fully secured, no room for chaos

IG Kanja said the National Police Service has put in place adequate measures to guarantee safety for all attendees

Kenyans planning to attend the upcoming Linda Mwananchi rally in Kisumu can expect a secure and peaceful event, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has assured.

Appearing before a Senate committee, Kanja said the National Police Service has already put in place adequate security measures to ensure the safety of all participants during the political gathering.

He, however, urged organisers to strictly adhere to the law, citing Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to assembly while also placing responsibility on organisers to ensure peaceful conduct.

"On the planned meeting in Kisumu, I want to assure the committee that it will be fully secured. However, I also urge the organisers to comply with the law, including Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble but also places responsibility on organisers to ensure peace," Kanja said.

"If we all work together, everything will proceed smoothly. From where I sit, I assure you that the meeting will be safe and secure, and those who wish to attend are free to do so. That remains the position of the National Police Service."

The police boss also weighed in on recent incidents of political violence, terming the attack on Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi unfortunate and unacceptable.

"I want to address what happened to Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi. It is not right. It is very unfortunate... At the end of the day, anyone who committed an offence will have their day in court," he said.

Kanja further issued a stern warning over the use of armed groups and hired goons in political activities, saying investigations are already underway.

"This issue of guns and goons is going to stop. We have investigated and established where they come from, who funds them and how they operate," he said, adding that decisive action will follow.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Police Service to maintain law and order, calling for cooperation between security agencies and political organisers to ensure peaceful engagements.

The assurances come as the Linda Mwananchi movement prepares for a busy political weekend in the Nyanza region.

Led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the movement will kick off its activities in Vihiga on Saturday before heading to Kisumu on Sunday, April 26, for a major rally expected to attract a number of high-profile leaders.

Among those expected are Siaya Governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, among others.

The rallies come amid heightened political mobilisation across the country, with leaders increasingly taking their campaigns to the grassroots as they seek to rally support around economic and governance issues.