Kenya police ready for 'NaneNane' anti-government protest - Acting IGP

By Erick Owenga, NAIROBI Kenya

Kenya’s acting Inspector General (IG) of Police, Gilbert Masengeli has underscored the National Police Service's preparedness to maintain peace across the country as Gen Z protesters prepare for another round of anti-government demonstrations on Thursday, dubbed '#NaneNanematch'.

Speaking at Embakasi Administration Police Training College (APTC) on Tuesday after talks with regional police bosses, Masengeli intimated that security will be heightened across the country though not to an extent that is out of the ordinary.

According to sources who spoke to Citizen Digital, the discussions also centred on the operational and logistical challenges facing officers in their jurisdictions and how to address them to ensure efficiency within the NPS.

"On matters 'nanenane' we are just talking about the general security," said Masengeli.

Masengeli however urged Kenyans planning to partake in the protests to do so in adherence to the law.

"Every Kenyan, as per the law, has the liberty to demonstrate, picket and assemble. Where the privilege of the rights of one ends, is where the other starts. We are all Kenyans and we have to abide by the rule of law. This is a country governed by democracy and the constitution," said the Acting Police IG.   

The meeting also gave Masengeli the opportunity to interact for the first time with his ground commanders as he seeks to affirm his brief grip on the Service before a substantive IG of police is appointed.

Masengeli is also the DIG in charge of the Administration Police Service following his appointment two weeks ago.