Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki informed Raila Odinga, the head of Azimio La Umoja, on Monday that his ongoing nationwide protests were unlawful.
Odinga has arranged a series of rallies across multiple counties as he gathers supporters to challenge President William Ruto's administration. He has already held three rallies in Nairobi.
Kindiki explained that the government would not interfere with opposition activities as long as they didn't disrupt commerce or violate the law during a news conference when he assessed his first 100 days in office.
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"On one condition, I don't care about individuals who are participating in demonstrations as long as they maintain law and order. The full force of the Ministry of Interior will be on them the day they will attempt to break the law, disrupt the peace, or cause a riot, Kindiki said.
"They can hold rallies, picket, and demonstrate as long as they don't cause business disruption or coerce people to listen to them," the speaker said. "They can practice their politics; that's not my concern."
He further noted that the government would not hold back in prosecuting any politician involved in acts that endanger the nation.
"I have made it clear to all lawmakers that they are my friends and allies as long as they support my efforts to make Kenya a secure nation. They become my clients in another sense the instant they threaten that goal, the CS continued.
Despite losing to President William Ruto in a close presidential election in August of last year, Odinga insists that Ruto's poll numbers were structured and manipulated.
Interior CS Kindiki warns Azimio on their rallies pic.twitter.com/DRXTxPp1H6
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) February 6, 2023
"We continue to hold that Ruto abused and perverted the people's will in order to get access to the State House. At his most recent gathering, held on Sunday at the Kamukunji Gardens, he yelled, "He must get out!
His demands include the resignation of the current President and all other government officials.
However, the President and his deputy see the Azimio leader's criticism as a deliberate attempt to persuade him to settle with the Kenya Kwanza administration, similar to his "handshake" with former president Uhuru Kenyatta on March 9, 2018.
The Azimio coalition will tour Machakos this weekend before moving to Busia on Sunday.