Kenya's police on Sunday banned the opposition from holding a protest over inflation, saying requests for the demonstrations were filed too late, but organisers vowed to go ahead with the rallies.
Raila Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja party, had called for the protest in Nairobi on Monday to protest the country's soaring inflation, which reached 9.2 per cent year on year in February.
Odinga also claims that last year's tight presidential election was "stolen" from him, denouncing the government of President William Ruto as "illegitimate".
Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei said on Sunday that police received requests to hold two demonstrations only late Saturday and early Sunday, even though public rallies normally require three days' notice.
"For public safety, neither has been granted," he said at a press conference in the capital.
Organizers intended to march near the presidential palace, the State House.
"I want to underline some areas such as State House where we have heard people planning to invade or visit is covered by the laws of Kenya that it is a restricted area for unauthorised persons," Bungei said.
But Odinga insisted on holding the meeting.
"I want Kenyans to come out in large numbers and show the displeasure of what is happening in our country," he told supporters on Sunday.
For his part, Ruto warned, "You are not going to threaten us with ultimatums and chaos and impunity."
"We will not allow that," he said, urging Odinga to act "legal and constitutional manner."
Odinga was defeated by Ruto by around 233,000 votes in the August presidential election, one of the narrowest margins in the country's history.
Odinga, who was running for president for the fifth time, rejected the results, calling them fraudulent.
The Supreme Court dismissed his appeals, with its judges ruling unanimously in favour of Ruto, finding no evidence to back up Odinga's accusations.
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