Cord cleared to hold Madaraka Day rally at Uhuru Park

What you need to know:

  • City Hall officials say a standoff between Cord and the Prayers Beyond Boundaries Ministry has been resolved after county Secretary Robert Ayisi said they had written to the Christian organisation revoking the permit for the planned prayers on June 1.
  • Dr Ayisi, speaking in his office, said the coalition wrote on May 22 requesting to have the venue, which City Hall granted on May 25 after deliberations by the county.

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) will hold a Madaraka Day rally at Uhuru Park, City Hall has announced.

The Nairobi County government on Monday sought to end confusion surrounding the use of Uhuru Park grounds on June 1.

City Hall officials say a standoff between Cord and the Prayers Beyond Boundaries Ministry has been resolved after county Secretary Robert Ayisi said they had written to the Christian organisation revoking the permit for the planned prayers on June 1.

Dr Ayisi, speaking in his office, said the coalition wrote on May 22 requesting to have the venue, which City Hall granted on May 25 after deliberations by the county.

The Prayers Beyond Boundaries Ministries is set to start its programme on Tuesday, a day to Madaraka Day.

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Dr Ayisi said the group had paid to use the venue before its availability was approved.

He said it is the mandate of the county government to issue permits since the facility falls under its jurisdiction.

"For avoidance of doubt and confusion, we would like to categorically state that it is the approval to Cord which is valid and effective," said Dr Ayisi.

Traditionally, Madaraka Day is marked at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium, presided over by the President, but this year the national fete will be held in Nakuru County.

Dr Ayisi added that the county would join the national government to mark the day at the Starehe Grounds, where the county commissioner is expected to lead celebrations in Nairobi.

“This is a national event and we will celebrate it like other counties where we will have the county commissioner lead the event and invite the Governor Dr Evans Kidero,” said Dr Ayisi.

However, the 11 sub-counties in Nairobi will also hold the celebrations where sub-county administrators will read the governor’s speech.

Elsewhere, the Opposition has been urged to call off its planned Madaraka Day rally and join the government during the national fete to be held, for the first time outside Nairobi, in Nakuru County.