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{
    "id": 1094607,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1094607/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 137,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Limuru, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Peter Mwathi",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 104,
        "legal_name": "Peter Mungai Mwathi",
        "slug": "peter-mwathi"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. The Member of Parliament for Mvita Constituency sought a Statement regarding police brutality against peaceful demonstrations by residents of Mombasa in expressing their views on the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Particularly, the Member sought to be informed on the following: (i) Could an explanation be given on the plans put in place to end the manner in which police are handling peaceful demonstrations in Mombasa County to allow them freedom of expression as stipulated in Article 4 of the Constitution of Kenya? (ii) Whether the Cabinet Secretary could provide an assurance on the manner the police could handle the residents of Mombasa to express emotions in solidarity with the Palestinians. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the response is as follows: The Government as guided by the Public Order Act has measures outlined on how to handle peaceful demonstrations and allow freedom of expression as follows: (i) Try holding consultative meetings with organisers before allowing such demonstrations; (ii) Agree with organisers on the route for the demonstrations; and, (iii) Ask the demonstrators to provide their own security plans during demonstrations. Residents wishing to express their solidarity with the Palestinians should be guided by existing laws and regulations. However, demonstrations have to observe and adhere to the Ministry of Health, COVID-19 containment protocols and regulations. The police officers are trained on how to handle the demonstrators in line with the legal provisions, statutes and specifically the Public Order Act as provided for in the Constitution. We wish to state that it is the role of Government, through the National Police Service (NPS), to promote and ensure security of citizens even during legal processions. However, the organisers need to notify the area Officer Commanding Station (OCS) beforehand for security arrangements to be put in place. Hon. Deputy Speaker, that is the response and I thank you."
}