Running battles in the city centre are a likely scenario on Tuesday as police make every attempt to thwart the planned swearing-in of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka.
A tough speaking Nairobi County Police Commander Japeth Koome yesterday in Nairobi said no meeting will take place at the park or within Nairobi’s central business district.
Additionally, he said he has no information from any of the groups laying claim to usage of Uhuru Park on Tuesday and as such, he will not allow anyone or any event at the Park.
“I have a responsibility to protect life and property. No one has informed the police of any meeting apart from what we read in the media and social media. No one will be allowed in the city,” charged Koome.
He was even blunter when he sounded a word of caution to sections of citizens travelling from upcountry to grace the event.
“Those travelling from other places with intention to come and cause chaos in Nairobi, please keep off.”
On the other hand, NASA maintained a hardline position saying the ceremony will go on as planned.
ODM chairman and minority leader in the National Assembly John Mbadi was categorical the ceremony will go on as planned.
He said police are being misused by Jubilee regime.
“The police are being misused by Jubilee and that is why we want a change in leadership. It is impunity of the highest order for the police to interfere with us,” Mbadi said according to Daily Nation.
Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa said no one has the right to interfere with the freedom of assembly and right to picket. He said they will be at Uhuru Park come Tuesday.
“Our event is still on at Uhuru Park. We don’t have any other place to go and we cannot postpone our national event. We urge the police to turn up tomorrow and protect the people that will turn up,” said Wamalwa.
Nairobi county Security and Intelligence Committee according to the Star has held a meeting in regard to the same issue.
Bernard Leparmarai, Nairobi regional coordinator leads the team where Koome, his DCI counterpart Ireri Kamwende and a representative from the National Intelligence Service are members.
Koome together with Nairobi County AP boss Francis Mburu and with National Police Director of Operations are waiting for an approval of operations order by the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.
The operations order is basically a plan for security operations for tomorrow.
State House is reportedly said to be strongly against the NASA oath plan.