Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has reignited controversy by re-endorsing the Assembly and Demonstration Bill, 2024 a proposal critics say could curtail Kenyans’ constitutional right to protest.
Originally tabled during Ruku’s tenure as Mbeere North MP, the Bill has resurfaced amid widespread, youth-led demonstrations across the country. These protests, largely spearheaded by Generation Z, have been marked by demands for greater transparency, accountability, and the protection of civic freedoms.
Speaking during a televised interview on NTV, Ruku defended the Bill, claiming the current framework based on the colonial-era Public Order Act of 1952 is outdated and fundamentally undemocratic.
“The Public Order Act of 1952 is very old. It was not meant for a democratic Kenya and was intended to subdue the natives, who are Kenyans,” Ruku said. “It was for gagging Kenyans and ensuring they do not enjoy their rights.”
According to Ruku, the Bill seeks to repeal Sections 5 and 6 of the existing law, establishing a new regulatory structure that balances public order and democratic freedoms. However, the proposed changes have sparked widespread concern.
One of the most contentious provisions is Clause 5(3), which requires protest organisers to notify police of any planned gatherings between three and 14 days in advance. Organisers must provide comprehensive details including their name, address, protest slogans, the expected number of attendees, and the event location.
Clause 18 further raises alarm by prescribing penalties of up to Sh100,000 in fines, one year in jail, or both for non-compliance. Critics argue such measures would criminalise spontaneous demonstrations a defining feature of the recent youth-led protests.
Civil society groups and human rights advocates have condemned the Bill as a threat to democracy. “This is a deliberate attempt to silence dissent and erode civil liberties,” one activist warned. “Kenyans should not need government permission to speak out.”
As the debate intensifies, Ruku’s reintroduction of the Bill continues to draw sharp scrutiny, placing Kenya’s democratic values at a crossroads.
