Mombasa County Commissioner (CC) Mohamed Noor has declared the planned June 25
Demonstrations in Mombasa illegal, citing the organiser’s alleged failure to notify the relevant authorities as required by law, but the planners maintain they have duly notified the authorities.
The conflicting claims from authorities and organizers has created uncertainty over the status of the planned demonstrations, even as activists maintain that the events will proceed peacefully across the country.
Noor maintained that they had not received any formal communication regarding the planned protests, which are being organised by human rights groups and activists to commemorate victims of the June 2024 Gen Z demonstrations.
According to the Administrator, public gatherings and demonstrations require organizers to issue a notice at least three days before the event to allow security agencies to make the necessary preparations and ensure public safety.
“As you all know, a notice should be served at least three days in advance, but up to now we have not received any notice,” he said.
The CC noted that during last year’s anti-government protests, organisers submitted their notice in time and later presented their memorandum to the County Commissioner’s office, enabling authorities to provide adequate security and facilitate peaceful demonstrations.
However, the organizers have dismissed claims that they failed to follow the law, insisting that all the required procedures were observed.
Vocal Africa coordinator Walid Sketty said a notice had already been delivered to Mombasa Central Police Station and acknowledged by the relevant officers.
He called on residents of Mombasa to turn out in large numbers for what he described as a peaceful event aimed at honouring the young Kenyans, who lost their lives during the Gen Z protests.
“The main objective of the day is to have peaceful demonstrations to commemorate our Gen Z heroes peacefully,” said Sketty.
He added that organisers were committed to working closely with security agencies and warned that any individuals seeking to infiltrate the demonstrations and cause chaos would be reported to the police.
“We shall cooperate with the police and report any goons who may be sent to disrupt our demonstrations,” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Vocal Africa Executive Director, Hussein Khalid, who insisted that organizers had complied with the law by presenting a notice in Nairobi, which he said was intended to cover demonstrations across the country.
Khalid further disclosed that a separate notice had also been submitted by their Mombasa office and that consultations had already been held with senior security officials in the county ahead of the demonstrations.
“The reason for us to go to Nairobi was to present our notice, and a notice has also been presented here in Mombasa by our office,” said Khalid.
He called on security agencies to facilitate peaceful demonstrations and refrain from using excessive force, stressing that the organisers were only seeking justice for those who lost their lives during last year’s protests.
Khalid appealed for cooperation between demonstrators and law enforcement officers, saying tomorrow‘s commemorations should serve as a peaceful tribute to the fallen protesters and a reminder of the need to uphold justice and constitutional rights.
By Mary Mtawa
