Ruto warns Cord over calls for mass action

Deputy President William Ruto has warned proponents of mass action to do so without storming offices.

“The law is clear on the removal of officers from office,” said Mr Ruto. “There is nowhere in the Constitution that says officers can be removed from office through mass action.”

He spoke at a thanksgiving service at the Pentecostal Church of East Africa (PCEA) in Kimuka, Kajiado West Constituency, Sunday.

Of late, the opposition Cord coalition has upped pressure on the disbanding of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Last week, police thwarted an attempt by Cord co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula to storm the commission’s head offices in Nairobi.

In reference to the seven-storey building that collapsed on Friday night in Huruma, Nairobi, killing 19 people and injuring several others, Mr Ruto asked county governments to tighten regulations in the construction industry in order to avert disasters. 

Mr Ruto said approved engineers and contractors who are professionals are the only ones who should undertake building construction.

The Deputy President asked the relevant departments to closely monitor building and construction works to ensure safety standards are adhered to.

“It is important that we adhere to safety in building houses so that we avoid disasters,” said Mr Ruto.

At the same function, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery warned that the government will not allow anyone to incite the public to engage in activities that can threaten the peace and stability of the country.

Mr Nkaissery said leaders must follow the law in airing their grievances on the IEBC commissioners instead of inciting Kenyans to mass action to forcibly remove them from office.

“We are not going to allow anyone to incite Kenyans to engage in activities such as mass action that can threaten peace and stability of the country,” said Mr Nkaissery.

Members of Parliament present echoed the CS’s sentiments.

They included Mr Moses ole Sakuda (Kajiado West), Mr Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Janet Teyia (nominated), Peter Mositet (Kajiado), Sonia Birdi (nominated), Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi) and Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi.

The leaders said they resolved to go to court to stop Cord leaders from engaging in mass action because there were provisions in the Constitution that can fulfill their demands. 

They also claimed that Cord had an ulterior motive disguised as mass action but their main agenda was to cause chaos and destruction of property in the country.

Kajiado Governor David Nkedienye said at the event that he was ready to work with Jubilee leaders for the sake of development.