ODM rally on - Kenya Election 2007

Friday, January 4th, 2008 at 12:19 AM

(I wrote this post on the morning of Thursday 3rd of January but due to internet connectivity problems can only post it now. It has been overtaken by events somewhat, but as I sat down and wrote it I insist that I be allowed to post it!)

The uneasy calm that settled over Nairobi for the past two days has been replaced by overbearing tension once again. Everybody knows that how today plays out will be vital for how our country will move forward. This is because today is when ODM is planning on holding a massive rally at Uhuru Park in the middle of Nairobi.

Under Kenyan law if you want to hold a public rally you have to notify the local police at least 48 hours in advance. You do not have to apply for a license; you are required to notify the police. The rally can be banned for two reasons,

1. The venue has already been booked by another group
2. On national security grounds

It is for this second reason that the police (allegedly working on orders from the Minister of Internal Security) have banned today’s rally. The ban on this rally is a very bad idea. This is why:

Immediately after Kibaki was hurriedly sworn in on the 30th of December, ODM called for a rally on the 31st of December which was immediately banned. As the 48 hours notice had not been given, as the tensions in the country were very high and as we did not even know if the ODM leaders had been arrested or not, ODM decided to cancel that rally and scheduled today’s rally instead.

It is important, especially as the country is divided, that as PNU has grabbed the instruments of State, that ODM be allowed to meet. By banning all ODM activity the government is sending the message that it considers ODM a nuisance at the best and illegitimate at the worst, which is VERY dangerous especially when a large section of the country feels the president seized power illegitimately himself.

Secondly, everyone recognises that the country is split in half politically. Tensions are high everywhere. Sitting in Kenyan right now is like sitting in a Pressure Cooker. The pressure keeps rising and rising. This tension needs an outlet and there are various outlets that it can express itself in. One such outlet is allowing ODM supporters to see their leaders in person, hear them talk, and express their frustrations. This would significantly cool the emotional temperatures in the country. An experienced peace mediator and negotiator told me yesterday that if the rally was allowed to go on today and if it passed peacefully, tensions in the country could drop by over 50%. If you close this outlet for the tension and frustrations, then other outlets such as violence and looting may be employed instead. For the sake of stability and security this rally should go ahead.

Thirdly, with the ban on live broadcasts (which should also be lifted immediately) it is important that ODM leaders are given a forum through which they can express themselves directly to their supporters. ODM has at least 3 times as many Members of Parliament as any other party, ODM is the largest political force in the country. It is completely nonsensical to refuse them the opportunity to talk to their supporters.

However, this government seems to have taken leave of its sense. I am writing this in Golf Course/Ngummo on the edge of Kibera and as I was coming in this morning I could see lorries of policemen being deployed around us (to try and keep the crowds from Kibera from attending the rally). The water cannons are out with people determined to break through them, the crowd has already clashed with the police on Ngong Road. Unlike Monday today people will reach Uhuru Park. I hope that unlike Monday the police do not resort to using live ammunition.

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