The High Court has refused to stop the anti-government protests planned by the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya party for the next three days from Wednesday. 

This is in response to a plea filed by Martin Gitau, who asked the High Court to halt the scheduled three-day rallies.

PHOTO | COURTESY Raila Odinga

Gitau, who named Azimio leader Raila Odinga, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Orange Democratic Movement party, and Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Party as respondents, claims through his lawyer Adrian Kamotho Njenga.

"That unless this honourable court intervenes, the applicant/petitioner is apprehensive that the respondents herein shall proceed in their unlawful course of unlawful and violent protests, to the detriment of the majority of law-abiding citizens who deserve to carry on with their daily activities without disruptions," Gitau submitted.

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PHOTO | COURTESY Raila Odinga

However, Justice L.N Mugambi declined to give the orders and scheduled the case for a hearing on September 21.

Justice Mugambi ordered that the application and petition be served within three days.

While requesting that the matter be classified as urgent, and a temporary restraining order be issued against the respondents, the petitioner accused the opposition of failing to notify authorities of last week's rallies.

He claims that on July 11, 2023, the first interested party herein issued a press statement notifying that the alleged demonstrations on July 12, 2023, were illegal, owing to the planners' failure to notify the National Police Service of their intention to carry out the said demonstrations, a requirement for police to provide adequate security.

PHOTO | COURTESY Azimio leaders

While emphasizing the freedom to gather and picket as guaranteed by the Constitution, the petitioner charges the opposition with exploiting the provision to incite violence,

Gitau adds in the appeal filed on Monday morning that prior opposition-led rallies resulted in deaths and property devastation. If this week's protests continue, the country risks devolving into chaos.

Azimio la Umoja coalition leader Raila Odinga has maintained that the country is expected to witness game-changing maandamano from Wednesday 19th, to Friday.