How Linda Mwananchi became a 'Blueprint for Political Conduct'
The National Police Service officially described the Linda Mwananchi as a 'blueprint for future political conduct' after the Jacaranda rally.
Contextual analysis
On Sunday 13 September at Jacaranda Grounds, in Embakasi East Constitution, the Linda Mwananchi the successfully held a peaceful rally.
Senator Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi held its Nairobi mega-rally.
It started with a church service at All Saints Cathedral at 9am, then a convoy through Marikiti, Gikomba, Burma Market, Jogoo Road, Manyanja, B Centre, Stage 17 and ended at Jacaranda at 2pm.
The rally brought together Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino, James Orengo, Richard Onyonka, Godfrey Osotsi, among others.
Thousands attended and unlike previous political rallies in Kenya, there was no violence, no looting and no clashes with police.
On Wednesday 16 September the National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement with regard to the Jacaranda event.
In a rare praise statement released today, NPS said: "What was witnessed on Sunday is precisely what the National Police Service has consistently advocated: that we can exercise our constitutional freedoms peacefully and within the law."
"The Jacaranda rally demonstrates that political expression can take place without violence or disruption of public order," NPS further acknowledged.
They commended the public for "cooperation, maturity and adherence to established protocols" and said they received positive feedback from Kenyans.
Good Precedence Set
This comes after months of violent political rallies in Kenya where sponsored goons disrupted gatherings - some ending in deaths. Linda Mwananchi itself was attacked in Homa Bay on Aug 19.
NPS now says they want all politicians to "borrow a leaf from Linda Mwananchi and make this the standard for 2027."
The opposition grouping has morphed from being seen as a confrontational opposition faction, after Jacaranda they are now being held up by police as the model of peaceful politics.

Comments
Post a Comment