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The Hydropower Boom in Africa: A Green Energy Revolution Africa is tapping into its immense hydropower potential, ushering in an era of renewable energy. With monumental projects like Ethiopiaâs Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Inga Dams in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the continent is gearing up to address its energy demands sustainably while driving economic growth.
Northern Kenya is a region rich in resources, cultural diversity, and strategic trade potential, yet it remains underutilized in the national development agenda.
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Raila Odinga has reiterated that while the Constitution grants every Kenyan the undeniable right to protest, the exercise of that right must be rooted in responsibility and structure. Speaking during a public engagement in Mombasa County, the ODM leader reminded Kenyansâespecially the youthâthat Article 37 of the Constitution protects peaceful assembly and demonstration.
However, he was quick to add that this freedom does not translate into spontaneous or lawless uprisings.
Odinga emphasized that any citizen or group intending to protest must formally inform the police. This, he stated, is not a restriction of rights but a safeguard for order, accountability, and the demonstrators themselves.
The former Prime Minister stressed that seeking police approval should not be viewed as government overreach but rather a means to ensure that protests remain peaceful and impactful. He proposed that organizers should work with law enforcement to agree on demonstration routes, gathering points, and timeframes.
âThis is standard practice even in the worldâs oldest democracies,â he said, referencing recent demonstrations in countries like France, the UK, and the U.S., where public protest is commonâbut regulated.
Odinga did not mince words in accusing the state of trying to obstruct the planned June 25 protests, which are set to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the deadly anti-government demonstrations that shook the country.
Those protests, which ended in tragedy with dozens of lives lost after the breach of Parliament, have become a rallying point for the youthâmany of whom feel disillusioned by the current administration.
Raila criticized what he described as a âgovernmental paranoiaâ toward public dissent and cautioned against using force or intimidation as tools of governance.
The upcoming demonstrations are expected to span across major urban centers, with organizers promising disciplined, coordinated marches. Odinga called on protesters to remain peaceful and avoid provocation, insisting that the day should serve as a solemn reminder of the cost of civic engagementâand a call for justice for those who died a year ago.
The government has downplayed the significance of the planned protests, even suggesting they will not be allowed to happen. That statement has only intensified the resolve of organizers and drawn more scrutiny from civil society and political leaders like Odinga.
Odingaâs position underscores a deeper tension in Kenyaâs democracy: the balance between freedom and regulation, expression and security, rights and responsibility. While he supports the youthâs right to be heard, his message is clearâlawful protest, not chaos, will push the movement forward.
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