At least six people lost their lives on Friday, July 7, 2023, during the Saba Saba protests.
This is according to Interior Cabinet Secretary(CS) Kithure Kindiki.
Through his social media pages, Kindiki said several police officers were also injured during the protests led by Azimio la Umoja -One Kenya party leader Raila Odinga.
The CS says while protesting is a constitutional right, participants are not allowed to do so at the cost of other Kenyans.
"Last Friday, during the mass protests, six people were killed and others injured, including security officers. Freedom of association and the right to demonstrate/picket do not include the right to cause mayhem and loot property," he wrote.
Further, the CS issued a stern warning ahead of Wednesday's demonstrations noting that officers will be on standby to control any form of violence.
"On Wednesday, anyone threatening to make the country ungovernable through the mayhem, looting, chaos, and bloodshed will be dealt with firmly and decisively, in accordance with the law," he warned.
Kindiki's warning comes barely hours after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) ordered the immediate release of the 73 suspects arrested during saba saba demos.
The suspects were freed without preferring any charges after consultations between Azimio Coalition lawyers Otiende Amollo, Dan Maanzo, John Khaminwa Ndegwa Njiru and Harun Ndubi and the Prosecution.
"I have received instructions from my boss that no charges will be preferred against the 73 suspects arrested over picketing on Friday. The same decision has been communicated to the Investigating officer in the matter," Gikunda told the magistrate.
