Cord, rights group clash over IEBC protests

What you need to know:

  • KNHCR said the appointment and removal of members of commissioners who breach the leadership and integrity guidelines as outlined in the Constitution are set out in Article 249.
  • Cord Secretariat reacted angrily to the sentiments, saying the commission had failed to address police brutality meted out on the coalition’s supporters.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights on Thursday faulted the Opposition for failing to follow the constitutional procedure for the removal of IEBC commissioners from office.

The commission said the appointment and removal of members of a constitutional commission and independent officers who breach the leadership and integrity guidelines as outlined in the Constitution are set out in Article 249.

DIRECTION OR CONTROL

“The article stipulates that these state officers are subject only to the Constitution and the law and are not subject to the direction or control by any person or authority,” said the rights group’s chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori.

Ms Mbogori said holders of those offices could only be removed after a petition is filed in the National Assembly on the prescribed grounds.

“Riots, street demonstrations and protests are not the prescribed constitutional procedure and by calling for demonstrations, Cord is exerting political pressure to circumvent the rule of law and constitutional order,” said Ms Mbogori.

But the Cord Secretariat reacted angrily to the sentiments, saying the commission had failed to address police brutality meted out on the coalition’s supporters.