Ahead of opposition protests, police have been stationed on the streets of Nairobi, Kenya.
Despite warnings from the government that they will not permit it “in the interests of national security” and noting violence during previous protests, opposition leader Raila Odinga has pledged to restart protests.
However, Odinga insisted that demonstrations would begin on Tuesday at 6:00 local time and declared that they would be lawful and peaceful.
He claimed that because protests are guaranteed by the constitution, the police could not know in advance that there would be violence in order to forbid them.
Kenyan law permits protests, which are not subject to police authorization.
The city’s core business center remained peaceful on Tuesday morning, with people going about their daily lives and a significant police presence on several streets.
Odinga recently declared that protests against the high cost of living and purported electoral irregularities, which started in March, will pick up again this week.
Police clashed with demonstrators who had set tires on fire and blocked highways, resulting in at least three fatalities. Additionally, property was looted and destroyed.
After Odinga and President William Ruto decided to hold talks through a parliamentary team, the protests had been put on hold.
The two teams chosen to represent the administration and the opposition in the negotiations, however, have different lineups.
Additionally, Odinga charged Ruto with lying about the purportedly bipartisan talks.