THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION MUST TALK TO AVOID UGLY CONFRONTATIONS.

 Tomorrow, the Azimio la Umoja one Kenya is expected to resume their anti goverment demos but this time round, it seems it will be somehow different. So far , the Nairobi regional police commander Adamson Bungei has quashed the letter by Azimio la Umoja notifying the police that they will be holding peaceful demonstrations and picketing along various roads in the central business district. The constitution in article 37 allows for peaceful demonstrations and picketing but it continues to give a caveat on how this should to conducted. It is true the constitution is very clear but on the other hand , it doesn't advocate for the destruction of properties and loss of lives as we have seen in the previous demos where an ugly encounter between the opposition supporters and the state have led to loss of lives , injuries and destruction of properties and wanton looting. The country is experiencing a downward spiraling of the economy. The high cost of living have hit the roof top. Kenyans are finding hard to place a meal on the table and all this , the opposition is blaming the Kenya Kwanza goverment of not acting as it had promised immediately they were sworn in the office and during CAMPAIGN period.

Yesterday, Police commander in Nairobi while addressing the media at vigilance house , he threatened and dared the opposition to dare continue with their slated demos and picketing tomorrow where they have vowed to tender their petitions to various state offices including Harambe house , Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the National Treasury. If this is the case , why is the government becoming adamant? This is very simple only that the relevant security agencies stop taking political sides and reason out. Already, the opposition has been profiled as chaotic and unruly. Infact they say if you want to kill a dog , you start by giving it a bad name. It is true in the previous demos especially which have taken place in parts of Nairobi, we have soon massive looting of resources and vandalism of public utilities. Inside those who are demonstrating, rogue elements wait until there is an ugly confrontation between demonstrators and the police. That's when they take that opportunity to loot. When the procession is peaceful, you will not hear or see such incidences but wait until there is such a confrontation, that's when such case takes place. It so happened in Kisumu City where we too experienced an ugly confrontation, looting and vandalism and even loss of life. 

Threats and intimidation and thum chesting won't help and it will only soil.the situation even more. So far , Raila Odinga has stuck to his guns that the demos and picketing will continue as planned. They aren't backing down. The government on the other hand has said it will tighten its firm hand and monopoly to use violence tomorrow. So , what are we expecting tomorrow, ghost streets and clouds of teargas, gunshots and jets of water from GSU water canons trucks. No business will take place tomorrow. Labour will be extended even tomorrow especially in Nairobi's CBD. But how are we getting here? We are getting here because of some quarters lacking wisdom and refuse to exercise leadership skills. Infact, being an office holder doesn't necessarily qualify you to be a leader. We have alot of office holders with zero leadership qualities. Zero at their best. I am expecting the CS Interior Prof Kindiki Kithure and Nairobi police commander to exercise leadership qualities. We need peace. Already, this Azimio la Umoja protests have attracted international community attention. The rugby 7s type bipartisan talks have collapsed because those who went on the negotiating table were all wearing Machiavellian clench fists. The talks collapse at their infancy stage. Savage!!!

Azimio la Umoja honchos are saying they will be delivering their petitions to various state agencies inorder to raise their disgruntlement on certain things the government is breaching and it oughts to rectify. If this is the case, why is the government refusing them to do so? They are acting within the confines of the constitution. Delivery a petition to any goverment facility or office isn't an offense. The constitution hasn't stipulated the number of people who should deliver that petition. The police IG Koome should take charge. Already, Azimio la Umoja presented his name to the Hague based ICC for using excessive police force against the opposition which is akin to violation of human rights into monumental proprioceptions similar to acts of crimes against humanity. The UN human rights charter is too clear on how demonstrations should be handled. Kenya being a member of UN, that charter is fully operational in our Kenya's laws. That's why its violation is qualified to attract international attention. Let the government tomorrow avoid an ugly confrontation with the opposition. Again, the opposition should ensure their supporters too conduct themselves with utmost restraint. They must know other Kenyans rights who aren't party to this demos starts where their stops. We need to have a win win situation.

Verily, verily, I don't expect the opposition to issue their petitions to the office of the president at Harambee House, the Public Service Commission headquarters and the National Treasury which are zero metres from each other and the IEBC offices along University way the whole day. That's why I am saying, dialogue between the government and the opposition on the mondus operandi tomorrow is necessary. The opposition should say the time the need to execute their mission tomorrow in a peaceful manner such that , after that , they should vacate the CBD for other economic activities to continue. I hope they aren't using economic sabotage as their sticks towards the government. They need to be magnanimous even as they go about with their protests. Kenya is a democracy and not a police state. That's why a dialogue between the police and the opposition figures should take place today. The Inspector General Japheth Koome should swallow his ego and welcome this people to the table. They need to lay down the ground rules for tomorrow. He needs to read the constitution well. Yes!! Letter by letter and put a full stop or a comma where necessary. It is very prudent for him to do so.  Once the ground rules are set and the police to be present tomorrow to offer security not to intimidate the opposition figures and their supporters. If the opposition wants to be slightly provoked to go berserk and amok, the government should deny them that environment and conduct themselves with restraint.

In the nutshell, we have a country to build. A country to jealously protect. A goverment to support and critic it where necessary. An opposition to be present inorder to checkmate the government and be an alternative goverment in waiting. And we have an economy to build because the moment it fails , it is all of us who will surfere. We need to be guided by patriotism all the time. You can only understand the importance of peace if only you are closely following what is happening in Khartoum, Sudan. Have a fruitful day and happy labour day.