Update: LSK secures release of seven arrested for participating in 'illegal' assemblies in Nairobi

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has secured the release of seven people arrested for participating in an "illegal" assembly at Mlango Kubwa earlier on Tuesday.

Their release was confirmed by LSK member Gloria Kimani in a post on X.

"The Law Society of Kenya received distress calls of 7 people from Mlango Kubwa who were arrested for unlawful assembly and were being detained at Pangani Police Station. I managed to secure their release," she said.

The seven were arrested for participating in the planned assembly dubbed Occupy People's Assembly that occurred simultaneously in multiple informal settlements including Mathare, Mukuru and Dandora.

This is as the National Police Service plotted how to deal with emerging security challenges in the country amongst them rising "civil unrest".

The @LawSocietyofKe received distress calls of 7 people from Mlango Kubwa who were arrested for unlawful assembly and were being detained at Pangani Police Station. I managed to secure their release and we reinstate that we are still committed to defending the rule of law. pic.twitter.com/960FDIBu2B

— Gloria Kimani (@gloria_kimani) August 6, 2024

The assemblies held in Mukuru, Dandora, Mathare and Mlango Kubwa proceeded till the end allowing locals to engage in governance issues affecting the community and the nation at large under the watchful eye of the police.

"Ongoing Mukuru people's assembly as the residents raise critical concerns on governance and accountability at community and national level. The reality is that the state is detached from people's reality," Mukuru Social Justice Centre said in a post on X as the meeting went on.

Ongoing mukuru people's assembly as the residents raise critical concerns on governance and accountability at community and national level. The reality is that the state is detached from people's reality. #NaneNaneMarch pic.twitter.com/15MmE3LB7m

— Mukuru Community Justice Centre (@mukuru_cjc) August 6, 2024

In the Kasarani area, a similar meeting failed to proceed after it was dispersed by the local police.

"We condemn the police's unlawful interference with the citizens' right to peaceful assembly, the people's assembly in Kasarani has been halted by the police," the Kasarani Social Justice Centre said.

The arrests happened hours after Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli said Kenyans are at liberty to exercise the freedom of assembly as guaranteed in law.

He, however, cautioned against engaging in unlawful activities, adding that the police would monitor and take action against those who commit crimes.

"Every Kenyan has liberty to picket, demonstrate and assemble as per the law. Where the privilege of one ends, is where the rights of the other begin. We are all Kenyans, we have to live by the rule of law. We are governed by the Rome statute and the Kenyan constitution," he said during the meeting at the Administration Police Training College (APTC) campus in Embakasi.

The meeting dubbed "National Security situation-challenges, opportunities and strategies" was aimed at reviewing some of the pressing security challenges facing the country and requiring immediate attention.

The organisers said it was meant to help the commanders adequately plan their responses and adopt a collaborative approach to the solutions to the challenges.