Kenyan lawyer PLO Lumumba has explained what he would do if he were the president.
According to Lumumba, he would convene a meeting with the political class, religious leaders, community heads, youth, women’s organisations, and members of the disciplined forces to address the ongoing crisis surrounding national demonstrations.
Lumumba expressed hope that President William Ruto would show the courage to bring together diverse segments of society and reach common ground ahead of the next planned demonstrations scheduled for July 7, 2025.
“A leader who listens and does what he might not like but is necessary is a servant leader,” he said.
He spoke during an interview with Spice FM.
He noted that chaotic demonstrations are increasingly becoming the norm in Kenya, and stressed that protests can only remain peaceful if Kenyans are allowed to exercise their rights and present petitions.
“The tragedy is that the political players compete because they are already campaigning. That is why you see people crisscrossing the country, claiming they will solve Kenya’s problems when they become president. They won’t,” he said.
“The problem is now deeply seated, so cancerous, that not one person at the top will resolve it."
Lumumba further stated that there are leaders across various sectors of the economy who command public trust and could play a key role in resolving the country’s unrest.
His remarks come amid ongoing nationwide protests, with Kenyans demanding justice for individuals who died in police custody and others who suffered brutal deaths at the hands of police, incidents that have fueled the demonstrations.
The protests have resulted in the loss of lives and property, prompting leaders to seek intervention measures.
Among them is Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris, who proposed a bill to contain the demonstrations, a proposal that was welcomed by members of the National Security Committee.
“The whole idea of the Bill is to protect the pillars of our democracy. You have to have a certain area where you can’t reach as a demonstrator, and you have to respect that,” said Passaris.
The bill seeks to establish a 100-meter exclusion zone around Parliament, State House, courts, and other designated protected areas where protests would be prohibited.
It also proposes to grant the Interior Cabinet Secretary authority to designate specific zones within cities or urban areas where demonstrations may be allowed.
“The rationale of the Bill follows the safety of our people and the safeguarding of institutions. Rights must be exercised peacefully and unarmed. There is a need to ensure that the rights of other individuals are not prejudiced,” Passaris added.
“In recent protests, supermarkets were looted, women raped, and people terrorized. Rogue actors turned rights into ruin. This Bill is a direct response to the crisis."
