Anti-IEBC protests continue in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa

Nasa supporters protest against the electoral commission in Siaya County on October 16, 2017. PHOTO | NELCON ODHIAMBO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • In Mombasa, police in full anti-riot gear lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the demonstrators.

  • In Siaya, businesses premises were closed as hundreds of residents thronged the streets.

  • In Isiolo, about 100 Nasa supporters marched peacefully and converged outside Isiolo North constituency IEBC office to push for electoral reforms.

Opposition supporters are back in the streets to push for electoral reforms even after National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga pulled out of repeat presidential poll.

The Nasa supporters took to the streets of Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi in defiance of government ban on protests in central business districts of the three cities.

In Mombasa, police in full anti-riot gear lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the demonstrators.

Businesses along Moi Avenue were shut as police dispersed the protesters who were energised following a rally attended by Mr Odinga on Sunday.

Police use tear gas on protesters in Mombasa along Moi Avenue during anti-IEBC demos. PHOTO | MOHAMED AHMED | NATION MEDIA GROUP

During the rally, Mr Odinga, his co-principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula reiterated their call for daily demos starting this week.

The protesters were marching on Moi Avenue on their way to the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) when police lobbed teargas at them.

They scampered for safety and it was not immediately is anyone was injured.

Protesters march to IEBC offices in Kisumu. PHOTO | VICTOR OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Migori, shops, offices and hotels were closed as Nasa demonstrators  took to the streets.

The protesters, led by ex-Migori MP John Pesa carried a mock coffin of IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba as they marched along the deserted streets.

Police watched them from a distance and did not  interfere with the demos.

The Nasa supporters marched to the IEBC offices in the county where they were addressed by their leaders.

Anti-IEBC protests in Migori County on October 16, 2017. PHOTO | ELISHA OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Siaya, business premises were closed as hundreds of residents thronged the streets.

The protesters, led by Siaya County speaker George Okode and a section of ward representatives, marched to IEBC offices to present their petition.

In an address to the protesters, Mr Okode said Siaya Count Assembly has adjourned indefinitely to join the daily anti-IEBC demos.

Mr Okode said that there will be no formal or informal sittings at the assembly until all Nasa reforms are met by the electoral agency.

PEACEFUL DEMO

In Isiolo, about 100 Nasa supporters marched peacefully and converged outside Isiolo North constituency IEBC office to push for electoral reforms.

The peaceful demonstration was led by Nasibo Sora Abdirahaman who contested for the County women seat on a Wiper party ticket in the August 8 polls but lost.

She said they will not relent until IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba resigns and reaffirmed that the supporters were in solidarity with their counterparts in Kisumu, Nairobi and Mombasa.

The protestors who were chanting “No reforms, No Election” later dispersed peacefully after being addressed by their leaders.

Few police officers who arrived to enhance security watched from a distance since there were no violence cases.

They vowed to continue with their anti-IEBC demos despite Nasa flag bearer Raila Odinga’s withdrawal from the repeat presidential poll saying they will not participate in the election without reforms.

“We will not get tired of protesting until our demands are met by the IEBC,” said Ms Abdirahman.

Reporting by Victor Otieno, Elisha Otieno, Mohamed Ahmed, Nelcon Odhiambo and Vivian Jebet