The National police service (NPS) has demanded for strict measures towards protesters such as ban on noise during demonstrations.
Speaking before the National Assembly Committee , the NPS urged lawmakers to include the proposal for noise cancellation as part of the Assembly and Demonstration Bill 2024.
The proposal was tabled by Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku.
The Director of Legal Services at the NPSC and police authorities led by James Nduma urged the Committee to consider their requests.
They argued that there should be a clear difference between noise and demonstrations.
“There must be a difference between noise and demonstrations so that we do not have a group that has hired a DJ around town, entertaining town, and then in the middle they will say what they want to say” Nduma said.
“We want those two to be demonstrated so that you are only allowed to demonstrate and make your petition known without involving noise in your demonstration” he added.
This was however cautioned by the independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) who argued that if the lawmakers pass the law, they are likely to limit the fundamental rights of citizens further.
They opposed the proposal and the pushing of the bill pointing that it would grant more power to the police and less freedom to the public.
