Once he declared the planned anti-government protests illegal, Kenyans and opposition leaders sharply criticized the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome.
At the police department's press conference on Sunday, Koome stated that he has never permitted any national protests.
Since they (Azimio) keep telling us that they are looking for servers, which are outside the scope of our authority, I, the Inspector General of Police, have not approved any protests in the nation, he claimed, adding that the problem with the servers is political and calls for political solutions.
He continued by saying that while the constitution does allow Kenyans to picket, it also stipulates that they must do it peacefully and without causing mayhem.
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In response to Koome's order, Raila Odinga, leader of the opposition, stated that the Azimio coalition will not be coerced into cancelling the huge protests because we are fighting for justice."
"I'm directing Japheth Koome, the inspector general of police, to get ready to defend lawful protesters. We won't stop our nonviolent protests because it's our right to do so", Odinga declared during a church service on Sunday.
For her part, Martha Karua, the leader of the Narc-Kenya party, mocked the IG directive, pointing out that it is not the responsibility of the police to permit demonstrations.
Karua dared the IG to detain her and other leaders during the protests.
"We will march in a peaceful manner, demand our rights as stated in our constitutions, and reject any message that aims to set us back", added Karua.
Eugene Wamalwa, the leader of the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K), shared the sentiments and said that protests are still happening worldwide, including in Kenya.
The retirement age is the topic of the demonstrations in France. Blackouts of electricity are an issue in South Africa. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is receiving criticism for his administration in Israel. Who are we? "Do we not have issues here in Kenya?" he questioned.
Ledama Olekina of Narok questioned Koome's past behaviour after seeing the video of him purportedly hurling a stone at a passing driver during previous demonstrations.
He was reacting to Koome's warning that the police would photograph anyone found damaging property during the planned protests.
"It doesn't matter when the photo was shot; a crime is a crime," Koome, I concur with you. said Ole Kina.
Since last Monday, Odinga has been holding protests to pressure the government into addressing the high cost of living and to denounce that he believes President William Ruto stole his election in the August 2022 elections.
"I am urging Kenyans to participate in the peaceful protests in big numbers. Do not be afraid of the police or the tear gas, Odinga proclaimed, blaming them for disrupting the "peaceful" protests on Monday".
In both cities, which almost shut down for most of last Monday's protests, several shops and properties were damaged or robbed, and police killed one student at Maseno University.
According to Koome, the Azimio Coalition's planned protests are unlawful, and police are under strict orders to disperse them.
Koome declared, "We will not spare anyone. Such demonstrations are unlawful, and I can tell you that we will not permit them to take place".
Instead of engaging Odinga in negotiations, President Ruto has warned against the protests and accused him of undermining the nation for selfish purposes, as he did under two previous administrations that eventually made accommodations for him.
"We have completed all of the votings. Left is to prepare for growth," he declared. "Because Raila is aware that we prevailed and he lost, we will not confront him." Kenyans "made their decision during the August 2022 elections.
