Some of the police officers who were deployed at Jacaranda Grounds. [Photo/ sde.co.ke]
Despite the call to keep off Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi by National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders, the police arrived with tear gas and kept supporters away from accessing the venue.This happened on Tuesday when NASA supporters had been asked to join leaders in a mass memorial service for 29 victims of police brutality.NASA CEO Norman Magaya, despite receiving calls from the police to keep off the venue maintained the memorial will go on.Here are some of the reactions by Kenyans on social media.“But what’s wrong with just letting NASA do their own thing? Nairobi is big enough.” Iam_mugambi posted on Twitter.“If police were not notified of the assembly at Jacaranda by NASA, how did they know to deploy many police to the venue? Hope the police have come to protect NASA supporters and not to disrupt their assembly.” Just Arnold said.Mark Nyamita on his part said: “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, the rogue police officers should give us peace as we mourn our fallen soldiers.”“You cannot beat people into submission. You cannot teargas people into acceptance. You cannot terrorize people into unity. If you have to do this already you've failed.” Schea of Sheba posted.“No wonder our police force is so lowly ranked in the world. From its top echelons to the new recruit the level of brazen ignorance and crudeness on how to handle crowds is appalling,” said James Nyiha.“Me sometimes I get angry when I see the police being deployed in areas where NASA wants to hold a rally. The same police are the ones who cause chaos after/before and brand NASA as a chaotic,” wrote Kelvin Kalz.