Cord condemns fatal shooting of protestors

Cord leaders on Monday condemned the government for the deaths of three Kenyans during the anti-IEBC protests in various parts of the country.

They said they had given adequate notice for the protests, and accused police of brutality in trying to deny the protesters the right of expression.

Mr Raila Odinga, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr Moses Wetang’ula claimed police used live bullets to break up the protests, leading to injuries and deaths.

Mr Wetang’ula displayed two spent cartridges, which he claimed were used on protesters near City Hall in Nairobi.

JUBILEE IN COURT

The leaders, however, did not give the number of those they claimed were killed during the protests in various parts of the country called to force out the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission officials out of office.

“The demonstrations were legal. Jubilee went to court, which declared that the demonstrations are legal. We also announced that we would be having demonstrations every Monday,” said Mr Odinga.

“I condemn with the strongest terms possible the horrendous actions of the police during the demonstration … innocent Kenyans have been shot by the police and those who did that must be severely punished,” he added, during a press conference at Cord headquarters in Capitol Hill, Nairobi.

He said the demonstrations would continue next Monday until the government agreed to hold a meeting with the opposition on how to reconstitute the commission.

“Every time, we see the IEBC officers exhibiting arrogance because they have the backing of the government, we will continue to hold the demonstrations until they resign,” added Mr Odinga.

Apart from the Monday demonstrations, the opposition will hold a parallel Madaraka Day rally at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on June 1.

Mr Wetang’ula condemned the arrest of Senator Boni Khalwale whom he said had been allowed by the police to lead the demonstrations in Kakamega.

“He wrote a letter notifying the police about the protest and even got a notification giving him consent to go ahead, ” he said.

Mr Musyoka said: “We call on IEBC to do the honourable thing and quit.” Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat, who was present at the conference, also condemned the police for breaking up the protests.