Nakuru police device cunning ways to lure protesters from hiding

The anti-government protests in Nakuru have now continued for over a month, with tactics and events morphing over time.

One notable development is the police's ability to quell demonstrations almost as soon as they begin, albeit after some bit of exercise here and there.

This is also made easy with the additional reinforcement of police on horses that seem to amuse protesters and onlookers from their high-rise building windows.

Throughout the morning of the protests, police made their rounds while others remained stationed at their usual posts.

As midday approaches, the protests begin in the heart of the CBD, with random individuals blowing whistles and encouraging undecided onlookers to join.

Typically, these demonstrations start at a designated area and move through town.

On June 16th, as we watched the cat and mouse chase between the police and peaceful protestors along Nakuru’s Kenyatta Avenue unfold for hours upon hours, something I hadn’t noticed or had never paid attention to before happened.

In their efforts to quell the protests, the police began making sounds weirdly similar to those of the protesters, which was very unexpected.

They were chanting the same chants that protesters did with others even whistling. One would think they were another group of protesters.

It was laughable, making one wonder if the officers found some amusement in the chase with protestors.

Upon inquiry about the sounds and confirmation, if they were indeed responsible for making them, it was explained that the noises weren’t just for fun but were used as a tactic to draw out hidden protestors and direct them towards their location.

The video of a man casually walking towards police officers, seemingly unaware of their presence, humorously and dangerously portrays this situation.

It was amusing to see it working in Nakuru as some protesters ran towards these sounds thinking it was their 'comrades', only to be met with teargas.

Away from the humour, it is also key to note that the authorities have become more vicious in quelling the protestors, with several deaths and injuries reported.

Other developments include the shooting of a journalist in full journo regalia and police storming a church interrupting a midday prayer service.

These actions can potentially be interpreted as an infringement on press freedom and a violation of a religious space.

As protests continue, the relationship between the authorities and picketers will become more complex, which begs the question- at what point does the preservation of order become an excuse for the erosion of fundamental rights?

Well, dearest reader, it is a matter of wait and see.

Till next time.