Kenyan authorities in Nairobi have issued a firm warning against planned protests in the Central Business District next week, stating that any unlawful or disruptive demonstrations will be met with decisive action.
The warning precedes scheduled demonstrations on Tuesday, April 21, concerning the escalating cost of fuel and the general cost of living.
Organizers have threatened a “complete shutdown” of the CBD to compel the government to address the issue.
Speaking on Friday, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohammud noted that while the Constitution guarantees the right to assemble and demonstrate, this right must be exercised within legal boundaries.
He emphasized that authorities will not tolerate actions that violate other citizens’ rights or disrupt economic activities.
“That’s not permitted. We will intervene. Others will block roads and inconvenience other citizens. You have rights, and other citizens have rights. While the right to assemble is protected, it is not absolute,” he stated.
Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities, provided it is done peacefully and without weapons.
This provision, part of the Bill of Rights, is designed to protect collective expression.
However, Mohammud stressed that the right must be exercised responsibly.
“It is not absolute, let me be clear on that. It must be exercised with proper consideration for the rights and freedoms of other Kenyans and visitors,” he added.
The police commander pointed out that previous demonstrations have sometimes escalated into violence, resulting in property damage and disruption of essential services.
He warned that such actions will not be tolerated.
“Such actions are illegal, and the police will respond according to the law,” he said.
The planned protests are connected to recent fuel price adjustments that have sparked public concern.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Energy Regulatory Authority (Epra) announced substantial fuel price increases for the April-May period, with petrol rising by Sh28.69 and diesel by Sh40.30.
A day later, the authority reduced the prices following a VAT decrease from 13 percent to 8 percent.
In Nairobi, super petrol decreased by Sh9.37 to Sh197.60 per liter, while diesel dropped by Sh10.21 to Sh196.63.
Kerosene prices remained unchanged at Sh152.78.
The adjusted prices took effect on April 16 and will remain in effect until May 14, 2026.
This adjustment followed an earlier increase that had pushed fuel prices in Nairobi to record highs, with super petrol reaching Sh206.97 and diesel Sh206.84 per liter.
The VAT reduction is viewed as part of government measures to protect consumers from global fuel price pressures.
Despite this intervention, concerns about the rising cost of living persist, with political figures calling for additional measures.
“Kenyans are worried about the fuel price increase. We recognize this is a global issue. While acknowledging the government’s efforts to address the situation, we continue to urge it to do more to shield Kenyans from the impacts of this crisis,” the ODM party stated in a Thursday communiqué.