Azimio asks Kenyan IGP to deploy uniformed police

As the second phase of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition nationwide shutdown looms for Monday 27th, the pressure group has authored a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome urging him to deploy only policemen in uniform and with clear identity.

The Azimio cautioned Koome against deploying plain clothed security officers in the upcoming protests slated for Monday, March 27 and Thursday March 30.

According to Odinga, policemen disguised in civilian cloths will be treated as ‘goons and dealt with accordingly.’

“Plainclothes in arms will be dealt with as thugs and hired goons and committed to civilian arrests as allowed per law,” Azimio warned.

The Azimio furthermore reiterated to Koome that their letter should suffice as formal motice of intention to hold demonstrations maintaining that no more notices will be issued in the bi-weekly protests scheduled for upcoming months.

“We are unable to submit any prescribed form as none is available in any other stations,” the letter reads. “For avoidance of doubt, this is not an application for permission as none is required under article 36 of the Kenyan constitution,” the letter reads more.

Azimio further announced a major change in how they will be tabling their grievances.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan media coucil yesterday cautioned some media houses like Citizen TV, NTV Kenya, K24, for alleged violation of programming code during the coverage of last Monday protests.