Kindiki says Gov’t ready to reinstate security for Azimio leaders, but only if...

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure has laid out conditions under which opposition leaders whose security details were withdrawn during the anti-government protests may reapply for their reinstatement.

Speaking on Thursday while appearing before the Parliamentary committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity, CS Kindiki said the government would only consider reinstating the leaders’ security personnel if they adhere to police ultimatums of not holding maandamano.

Despite recognizing that it is the leaders’ right to access security guards, the CS maintained that those who want protection from the government must accept not to engage in destruction of property belonging to the State or the citizens in the name of demonstrations.

“We provide security to everyone in the country. Those affected members, if they have stopped what was happening, they can still talk to us, we will give them security, they are entitled to security,” he said, as quoted by the Star.

Kasipul MP Charles Were however faulted the CS arguing that, currently, there are no active riots, hence the President William Ruto administration ought to have already restored the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leaders’ security.

CS Kindiki, in a rejoinder, insisted that it was improper to have armed officers protecting leaders who are, at the same time, leading the riots.

The Interior chief noted that this poses a security risk as the officers, while protecting the leaders, are bound to clash with their counterparts tasked with restoring peace during the protests.

“These are people who are serving in the same agency with police who were containing the protests...you can easily create a very ugly situation so we said all those who were exercising their right of picketing should do so peacefully and unarmed,” he explained.

In July this year, the opposition Azimio coalition party Leader Raila Odinga, his co-principals, four Governors and over 50 lawmakers’ security details were recalled.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua would later publicly say that the security details would be reinstated after three months.

"I'm sorry your security was taken away. Your officers were taken to deal with demonstrators. Your officers will be returned to you after three months when we are sure there are no demos," he said then.