On May 2nd, 2023, a group of Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Azimio la Umoja Coalition were dispersed by police officers from the entrance of President William Ruto’s office at Harambee House. The delegation included prominent legislators such as Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi Senator), Enoch Wambua (Kitui Senator), Robert Mbui (Kathiani MP), Rosa Buyu (Kisumu Woman Rep), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi Senator), TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka MP), among others.
The legislators had marched to Ruto’s office with letters in hand, with the intention of delivering them to the President. Addressing security officers at the gate of Harambee House, Senator Sifuna stated that they were going to march to other government offices to deliver their petitions. He added, “We just want to give this letter to the right person. Tell them to come and take it.”
However, shortly after, police officers lobbed teargas to disperse the legislators. It was unclear why the police had taken such action, as the MPs had not posed any threat or displayed any violent behavior. The use of teargas on peaceful protestors was met with criticism from many Kenyans, who took to social media to condemn the police action.
The march by the Azimio la Umoja Coalition legislators came on the same day as planned anti-government protests called by their leader, Raila Odinga. The protests were meant to express dissatisfaction with the current government's policies and demand more accountability and transparency from the leadership. The police's reaction to the MPs' peaceful march may have been an attempt to prevent the protests from gaining momentum and spreading to other parts of the country.
The use of teargas on peaceful protestors is not a new phenomenon in Kenya. In the past, the police have been accused of using excessive force to disperse peaceful protestors, leading to injuries and sometimes fatalities. The police have often cited security concerns as a justification for their actions, but critics argue that such actions are a violation of the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
The Azimio la Umoja Coalition is a political alliance formed by Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya, ahead of the 2022 general elections. The coalition comprises several opposition parties, including the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Wiper Democratic Movement, and Amani National Congress (ANC). The coalition has been vocal in its criticism of the government's policies, particularly in the areas of governance, corruption, and economic development.
The dispersal of the MPs by the police is likely to escalate tensions between the government and the opposition. It is unclear what the next course of action will be for the Azimio la Umoja Coalition and their supporters, but it is likely that they will continue to push for their demands and exercise their right to peaceful assembly.
In conclusion, the dispersal of Members of Parliament from the Azimio la Umoja Coalition by police officers from the entrance of President William Ruto’s office at Harambee House has raised concerns about the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in Kenya. The incident occurred on the same day as planned anti-government protests called by their leader, Raila Odinga, which may have been an attempt to prevent the protests from gaining momentum and spreading to other parts of the country. The incident is likely to escalate tensions between the government and the opposition and underscores the need for greater respect for the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in Kenya.