The Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) is under heightened security personnel deployment and surveillance comprising of security officers drawn from various formations ahead of the State of the Nation joint Parliament address by president William Ruto at 2.30pm this afternoon.
The security officers have barricaded some roads including Parliament Road and Harambee Avenue.
In June this year, unarmed youths invaded parliament and breached the highly guarded protected installation protesting against high taxes, bad governance and corruption where tens were shot dead and scores of others injured.
Today, security has significantly been beefed up after groups people on social media threatened to stage protests against what they term poor governance.
However, last evening, the National Police Service said they will not allow such protests in the city.
Police said they demolished several billboards erected by the organizers of the protests overnight.
They were erected at various junctions.
The NPS cautioned members of the public against staging or taking part in any protests on Thursday when Ruto is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address in Parliament.
Police spokesperson Resila Onyango said the police have not been formally notified by the supposed organizers as required by the Public Order Act.
“Attention of the National Police Service (NPS) is drawn to information circulating about planned demonstrations on Thursday, November 21, 2024, through social media. NPS further acknowledges the Constitutional right of Kenyans to peaceably and while unarmed, assemble, picket, demonstrate or present petitions to public Offices.” She said in a statement.
“In exercise of these rights, the law places a responsibility on organizers to notify the Regulating Officer (Officer Commanding Station) in writing at least three days but no more than fourteen days in advance, specifying the details of the planned meeting. This requirement is intended to ensure that proper safety and security measures are put in place by Police during public demonstrations. To date, no such requisite notification by any organizer/planner has been issued to the Regulating Officer” She added.
She urged citizens to continue their daily activities without fear of disruption.
