Police declare Raila ‘swearing in’ venue a no-go zone

Nairobi Police Commander Japheth Koome says he will not allow the National Super Alliance to hold the planned ‘swearing in’ of its leader Raila Odinga at Uhuru Park Grounds.

Speaking during a media briefing on Sunday, Koome said the NASA opposition coalition had not formally notified him on the plans to hold the controversial oathing in Nairobi.

“I’m reading on the press that so and so will be at Uhuru Park, which I’m not likely to allow because if I allow there will be a confrontation and people will be injured. You have heard several groups want to use Uhuru Park on the same day. Tell them we love this city and we will guard it jealously. We will not allow breach of peace,” said Koome.

“Nobody will be at Uhuru Park because I must protect everybody. If I allow people to go there and they injure one another I will have slept on the job,” said Koome.

NASA, however, maintains that it will ‘swear in’ its principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as the People’s president and deputy on Tuesday, January 30 at Uhuru Park. This despite a police warning and an announcement by the Nairobi County Government that Uhuru Park will remain closed from Wednesday, January 23, until further notice to allow for “phased improvement”.

A church and a group called the Nairobi Business Community had reportedly written to City Hall seeking a permit to use Uhuru Park on January 30th when the NASA event is set to take place.

The business community, which claimed to have been allowed to use the venue, had announced it was planning to hold a free medical clinic targeting street children who would wish to get circumcised.

Meanwhile, Koome maintains that police will continue with the crackdown on muggers and criminals who continue to wreck havoc in the city.

He said on Saturday, at least 100 suspects were arrested and are set to be arraigned in court.

“This operation is continuous and is happening on a daily basis. Last night we arrested not less than 100. But my concern is these youth who continue to lose their lives who lose their lives in confrontations with the police,” said Koome.