Khalwale faults ban on Narok demos, arrest of legislators

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has criticised the move by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery imposing a ban on rallies and demonstrations in Narok County, arguing it is unconstitutional.

Maj Gen (rtd) Nkaissery suspended all rallies and demonstrations in Narok on Sunday, warning that the escalating tension in the county could result to violent confrontations.

“According to the Constitution, banning of rallies is the role of the police Inspector General and not that of the Cabinet Secretary,” Mr Khalwale told journalists Thursday at Parliament Buildings.

He said the minister’s decision on the ban is a pointer to how he intends to run his office.

Following Monday’s violent protest in which two people died and several others were injured, five legislators from the county including Narok Senator Stephen ole Ntutu were arrested Wednesday.

“It was improper to arrest the legislators as they were only performing their oversight role by leading a peaceful demo aimed at fighting corruption,” he said.

Others arrested include MPs Korei Lemein (Narok South), Moitalel ole Kenta (Narok North) and Johanna Ngeno (Emmurua Dikkirr) and Patrick Ntutu (Narok West).

The five leaders appeared in court Thursday and were released on personal bonds of Sh500,000 each after Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko informed Senior Principal Magistrate Enock Cherono that their detention had sparked riots in the county.

READ: Roads blocked as Narok residents protest MP arrests

Narok residents took to the streets challenging how the county government spends billions of shillings it collects from the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve annually.