Jubilee wants Cord to pay for property destroyed in demos
Jubilee Party steering committee co-chairmen Kiraitu Murungi (centre) and Noah Wekesa (right), flanked by other leaders, address the media in Nairobi on May 18, 2016. They want Cord leaders held responsible for the destruction of property during their anti-IEBC demos on Monday. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Jubilee says it is compiling an inventory of destroyed property after which they will demand compensation from Cord leaders.
Cord has been holding protests every Monday to push for the dissolution of the IEBC.
- Mumias East MP Washiali claimed Cord had resorted to protests after sensing defeat ahead of next year’s election.
The Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) wants Cord leaders to compensate owners of property that was lost or destroyed during Monday’s protests in Nairobi.
The party says it is compiling an inventory of destroyed property after which they will demand compensation from Cord leaders.
The opposition has been holding protests every Monday to push for the dissolution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“We are making an inventory of the losses suffered during the riots and those responsible for the violence should be held accountable,” Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando said Wednesday.
The leaders, including Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso, former minister Noah Wekesa and nominated MP Johnson Sakaja, blamed Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula for the violence and insisted that they should follow the law in their quest to remove IEBC commissioners.
“Jubilee is ready for dialogue but this must be within the confines of Parliament. We are ready to listen to Cord, church leaders and anybody else. What we are saying is come, let us talk,” said Ms Laboso.
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, who represented the United Democratic Forum, claimed Cord had resorted to protests after sensing defeat ahead of next year’s election.
The leaders, however, condemned the brutal manner in which police officers dispersed the rioters, calling it excessive.
“The police overreacted and used excessive force against rioters. We ask them to exercise restraint,” said Mr Kabando.
This came as business and consumer lobby groups called for a sober discussion on reforming the electoral system while Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi demanded the resignation of security chiefs for failing to stop police brutality.
Federation of Kenya Employers executive director Jacqueline Mugo said while reforming the electoral system is an important national issue, leaders must refrain from street protests as it was scaring away investors.
“We are disappointed that the quest for electoral reforms has turned into violent confrontations. We feel there should be room for dialogue and accommodation of views,” Ms Mugo told the Nation.
Mr Mudavadi accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet of instructing their juniors to crush the protesters.
“Police follow orders and when the CS (for Interior) issues threats, he is instructing police to commit crimes, for which he should be held accountable”, he said.
