Kidero: Cord should respect Uhuru and hold peaceful demos

Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero addresses mourners at Mutithi village in Kirinyaga County during the funeral of Constable James Irungu, on June 11, 2016. He described the Head of State as his best friend saying he should be given time to deliver on his pre-election pledges. PHOTO | GEORGE MUNENE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kidero said Kenyans want to live in peace and the chaotic protests that are being orchestrated by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leaders should be stopped.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has cautioned leaders against disrespecting the President.

Speaking at Constable James Irungu's funeral in Mutithi village, Kirinyaga County, the Governor said President Kenyatta was legally elected hence the Opposition should give him the respect he deserves.

"President Kenyatta and other elected leaders should not be abused or treated with contempt," he told hundreds of mourners on Saturday. The deceased was the son of Embakasi Ranching Scheme chairman, Mwangi Thuita.

He described the Head of State as his best friend saying he should be given time to deliver on his pre-election pledges.

"It is no longer a secret. The President is my friend," he said.

At the same time, Mr Kidero said he was opposed to the violent demonstrations that have graced calls for the removal of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which have so far claimed at least four lives.

"I do not advocate violence at all and demonstrations should be stopped," he said.

Mr Kidero said Kenyans want to live in peace and the chaotic protests that are being orchestrated by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leaders should be stopped.

Furthermore, he said leaders should implement development projects that are in the interest of Kenyans.

Additionally, his Kirinyaga counterpart Joseph Ndathi called on the government to prosecute demonstrators who were destroying property, and implored those agitating for overhaul of the electoral commission to embrace dialogue.

"It is the responsibility of the government to protect the lives and property of its people. Therefore, those causing chaos while demanding the removal of IEBC officials should be arrested and prosecuted," he said.

Cord has in the past few weeks held demos aimed at elbowing out the electoral team arguing that its integrity has been compromised, therefore it should not be allowed to conduct the 2017 General Election.

DIALOGUE AFOOT

On Friday, the Coalition said it had agreed with Jubilee on most of the sticking points in talks to reform the electoral commission, but still announced stepped-up street protests.

In a statement read by Cord co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, the coalition said its supporters would stage protests until all the sticking points were agreed on.

Interestingly, President Uhuru Kenyatta, at the start of his three-day tour in Ukambani, said Cord supporters were free to protest as long as they did not destroy property or attack police.

The Opposition had set four conditions for the talks to take place, with a focus on keeping the process away from Parliament.

They want Speakers Justin Muturi (National Assembly) and Ekwee Ethuro (Senate) to play no role in the talks.

They also want the talks to be spearheaded by a lean team of 14 members instead of 22, not to be undertaken within the Standing Orders and the final report not to be subjected to negative amendments by Parliament.

Jubilee, through National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, had said they were ready to reduce the membership of the select committee, keep away the Speakers from the team but insisted that it must be within the rules of Parliament.

Mr Raila Odinga, Cord leader, said that they will make a statement on the status of the IEBC matter.