The anti-IEBC protests commenced after the opposition accused Isaac Hassan and his co-officials of conspiring to steal 2013 elections with the ruling coalition, which the former Prime Minister lost to the ruling Jubilee Coalition.
In a case present by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) Lawyers, the opposition principals claimed that Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits were manipulated to aid in rigging. Before going to court, the opposition had also demanded for manual votes recounting, an indicator of their mistrust to Isaac Hassan and his team.
Their lack of trust made the former prime minister Raila Odinga, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula to call for national peaceful demonstrations to force oust IEBC officials from their offices at the anniversary tower, a move that was countered by police boss, Japheth Koome terming it illegal after a case presented by some Jubilee Members of Parliament was ruled in their favour.
And the D-day came, CORD supporters in masses gathered around anniversary Towers blowing whistles as they sang IEBC must go, and to their disappointed the armored police vehicles full of police secured the Anniversary Towers entry. When the demonstrations turned “chaotic” they lobbed teargas dispersing them in a bling of an eye but some did not escape the turf General Service Unit rungus.
With the foiled attempt, CORD decided to come up with a demonstration formula, every Monday until the IEBC team give in. The demonstrations were announced to have been “devolutioned” to all areas where IEBC offices are situated.
During the second Monday of protests CORD principals and their supporters turned in numbers at respective demonstrations zones; Mombasa, Kisumu and as expected police number doubled now armed and ready to control the crowd. Teargas and water cannons being used to clear the streets.
For the second time the demonstrations turned chaotic with teargas clouds, cries of pain and numbers hospitalized due to injuries stories circulating globally. Global and National leaders, church leaders and some Kenyans called for peaceful talks to end the current horrific situation within Nairobi and other areas.
Raila odinga then confirmed having written an open letter to the president of Kenya requesting for dialogue something that the ruling coalition welcomed but said the matter will be handled in parliament, but CORD objected the decision as IEBC officials stayed put with the decision – not to step down.
The state of demonstration seems to have worsened following usage of live bullets during 16th and 23rd May demonstrations. On 16th Manono was roughly handled by police. This incident hit global headings with various parties, lawyers and church leaders condemning the actions of police and Major General (retired) Joseph Nkaissery, Kenya’s Internal Security Cabinet Secretary words.
On 23rd May protests have led do death and injury of several people with Bony Khalwale arrested for “leading unlawful demonstrations” though he was later released with 100,000 Kenya shillings bail.
IEBC in office, CORD demonstrations, Jubilee turf stand and some Kenyans mistrust on either of the prior mentioned groups is building un-necessary tension within Kenya ahead of 2017 national elections.
This cloud of “we will not surrender on our side” is affecting the business within the capital and worse posing as a threat to non-protesters security especially those who are caught in the middle of protests as they travel.
It is the high time when the government, CORD and IEBC officials should sit and seek permanent solutions to this burning matter and save Kenyans from the teargas Monday.
Picture: Manono being kicked after falling on the road floor by anti-riot police
By Gabriel Mwandikwa