Nasa supporters stage anti-IEBC demos in Nairobi and Kisumu

Anti-IEBC protesters in Kisumu march to the electoral commission offices on October 24, 2017. PHOTO | VICTOR RABALLA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • During an address to the protesters the governor said the Thursday election is going against the Constitution.

  • Meanwhile, Nasa MPs say that they will not recognise Interior CS Fred Matiang'i directive to stop public political meetings as campaigns ended on Monday in line with the law.

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

In Nairobi, protesters were dispersed by anti-riot police as they marched along Kenyatta Avenue.

Police lobed teargas canisters at the demonstrators, who dispersed.

DIPLOMATS

Nasa leaders later addressed journalists at a hotel in Kilimani where they condemned the European Union and other diplomats who assured them that they would not be harassed by police on Tuesday.

Siaya senator James Orengo said the diplomats are reading from a different script from other Kenyans when insist that elections must go on.

Police disperse anti-IEBC demonstrators on Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi on October 24, 2017. PHOTO | BRIAN MOSETI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

"Their position is not clear. I don't think they understand what they are saying or if they understand their governments’ position.

DISRUPTED

Mr Orengo was speaking at Golden Spot Hotel in Kilimani after the demonstrations were disrupted in the Central Business district.

He led other Nasa MPs from Panafric Hotel, marched through Valley Road to Kenyatta Avenue.

In Kisumu, the protesters marched to the electoral commission offices carrying stones and twigs.

Singing anti-IEBC songs and chanting, "No Raila, no election" the protesters were peaceful but police were on standby to maintain law and order.

IEBC

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, Kisumu Central MP Fred Ouda and a number of local MCAs led demonstrators into the city centre.

Nasa supporters hold anti-IEBC demos in Kisumu on October 24, 2017. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The protestors gathered at Kondele Market took the main highway and branched through Busia Road, Obote Road, Oginga Odinga Road before taking the Jomo Kenyatta Highway to the IEBC headquarters at Milimani estate.

During an address to the protesters the governor said the Thursday election is going against the Constitution. “IEBC has not cleaned its house. People who played a role in the bugled August election are still in the office,” he said.

MATIANG'I

Meanwhile, Nasa MPs say that they will not recognise Interior CS Fred Matiang'i directive to stop public political meetings as campaigns ended on Monday in line with the law.

However, Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi said that whatever the law says is only applicable to the election campaigns.

"We're going to demonstrate in compliance with the directive of our President, Raila Odinga. Contrary to Matiangi's misconception, our demonstrations are not tied to IEBC's so-called campaign timelines," Wandayi said.

A protester during anti-IEBC demos in Kisumu on October 24, 2017. PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

He said that Nasa will go on with its election boycott plan unrestricted and in full enjoyment of "our constitutional rights."

"Matiangi should know better that we are not  campaigning for any elections. Our presidential candidate Raila Odinga withdrew his candidature and his co-principals have been clear that there will be no elections! So, what's Matiangi looking for?" Wandayi posed.

NO ELECTION

He said the fact that Mr Odinga is not participating in the election does not limit Nasa's engagement with the people.

"Our message to the people is that there will be no election and therefore, they should not come out to vote. They should stay in their homes."

The MP, is among those who attended a meeting of Nasa MPs in Westlands this morning to prepare for today's demos.

The meeting was led by Siaya senator James Orengo and attended by Suna East MP Junet  Mohamed among others.

Wandayi said that with the court having lifted the ban to demonstrate in the CBD, Nasa leadership does not expect any resistance by the police to conduct "our peaceful demonstrations."

He says they expect the police to provide security during their demos.

Additional reporting by David Mwere and Brian Moseti .