Police Enforce 3-14 Day Notification Rule for Political Rallies Ahead of Electioneering Period
The spokesperson said the notification requirement is critical to enabling the police to plan security coverage and to prevent confrontations between rival political groups.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
The National Police Service (NPS) has reminded political leaders and organisers of public gatherings that they must notify police between three and 14 days before holding rallies, processions or other public meetings, warning that the requirement will be strictly enforced as political activity intensifies.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the obligation is provided for under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and applies to all persons intending to convene a public meeting or procession.
Nyaga said organisers are required to issue a formal notification to the regulating officer, who is the officer in charge of the police station in the area where the proposed meeting or procession is to be held.
“Any person intending to convene a public meeting or procession must adhere to the requirement to notify the regulating officer of that intention at least three days, and no more than fourteen days, before the proposed date of the event,” Nyaga said.
According to the NPS, the notification must contain key details including the full name and physical address of the organiser, the proposed venue for a meeting or the route to be followed in the case of a procession, as well as the proposed date and time.
The law provides that public meetings and processions should be held between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The spokesperson said the notification requirement is critical to enabling the police to plan security coverage and to prevent confrontations between rival political groups.
“It is worth appreciating that a notification and subsequent confirmation of all intended meetings by actors across the political divide to the authorised officer serve as a proper and legitimate step in enabling the police to carry out effective and informed security coverage,” he said.
The Service said enforcement of the provisions will become particularly important as the country enters the electioneering period, noting rising cases of political intolerance in different parts of the country.
The NPS flagged incidents of violence, thuggery and disruption of meetings, warning that such conduct threatens public order and national cohesion.
“Such conduct undermines public order, threatens national cohesion, and infringes upon the constitutional rights of citizens to associate peacefully, assemble, and participate in political activities,” the statement said.
Nyaga explained that where a venue or route has already been booked for another event at the same date and time, a second organiser will not be allowed to proceed at the same location.
Under Section 5(4) of the Public Order Act, the regulating officer is required to promptly inform an organiser where it is not possible to hold the proposed meeting or procession because another event has already been notified for the same date, time and venue.
An organiser who receives such a notification cannot proceed with the event at the originally proposed time, date or venue, but may notify police of a future date in accordance with the law.
The NPS also issued a strong warning to political leaders, their supporters and other stakeholders against engaging in violence, incitement and disruption of lawful gatherings.
“No person, regardless of social status, political affiliation, or public office, is above the law,” Nyaga said, adding that individuals found engaging in violence, sponsoring criminal gangs, inciting supporters or disrupting lawful gatherings will face legal action.
The Service reaffirmed that it will remain apolitical and impartial in enforcing the law, saying its operations will continue to be guided by respect for human rights, dignity and accountability.
Nyaga urged political actors across the divide to exercise restraint, respect the law and embrace dialogue to ensure a peaceful environment as the country moves deeper into the electioneering period.
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