The Defence Headquarters has warned against the planned nationwide protest in Kenya, stating that it has intelligence that the protest will be hijacked by unscrupulous elements and turn violent.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, the protest aims to replicate the violence seen in Kenya, where peaceful rallies against tax hikes descended into deadly violence.
Buba warned that the protest could lead to a state of anarchy, with targets including persons with smartphones and cars, places of worship, businesses, and members of opposing political parties.
The military will not stand by and allow anarchy to befall the nation, Buba stated, adding that troops will act dutifully to forestall ugly occurrences.
The military’s involvement will be in accordance with constitutional provisions, which clearly define the roles and functions of the armed forces.
Citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, but they do not have a right to mobilize for anarchy and unleash terror, Buba concluded.
The timing and atmosphere of hardship in the country make the planned protest different from others in the past, and citizens are urged to note this.
