We’ll sue Cord for property destroyed during anti-IEBC protests, says Kamanda

Starehe MP Maina Kamanda has reiterated that key opposition leaders will be sued for destruction and theft of property during last Monday’s demonstration against the electoral commission.

According to Mr Kamanda, Cord co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula must be made to compensate business owners and other people whose property was looted by some of the demonstrators.

He said the trio should be held responsible for the loss and destruction of property by their supporters in Nairobi.

“These are no longer demonstrations but looting sprees, we ask the government to ensure people and their property are protected,” he said in his constituency on Friday.

The legislator, while condemning the demonstrations called by Cord in an effort to kick out IEBC commissioners, said traders who lost property had already recorded statements and were ready to go to court with help from the legislator.

TRADERS READY TO SUE

“This coming Monday, we are taking them to court for destruction of property. Those who run into losses are ready to sue,” added Mr Kamanda.

He speaking at Land Mawe during the launch of the National Youth Service programme.

During the demonstrations against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), several business premises were looted by criminals who were part of the demonstrators with some traders suffered injuries during the incidents.

Several demonstrators were also injured and admitted to various city hospitals while another 15 were arrested and charged in court.

The MP accused the opposition of “exploiting and misusing the young and poor people” by asking them to join in the demonstrations and later abandoning them after they suffer injuries or are apprehended by the police.

“I have not seen the opposition leaders being accompanied by their children in such demonstrations, why don’t they tag their families along?” he posed.

He claimed the opposition was looking for leadership “through the back door” and asked them to wait for 2017 and present themselves to the electorate.

Mr Kamanda also accused the opposition of attempting to stoke violence in the country by calling for the demonstrations saying the protests were not necessary as there was a constitutional way to remove IEBC commissioners.

At the same time, the MP who is the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Infrastructure, urged tenants to avoid faulty buildings in the city as they are prone to collapsing like was the case with a house in Huruma which left several dead and others injured.