‘Men in Black’ back in full swing at Cord fete

Security was tight at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park with all access points sealed, leaving only two entrances that police officers manned where they screened Cord supporters.

At least three members of a group called the “Men in Black” who were caught on camera violently disrupting ODM elections on February 28 were spotted at yesterday’s rally next to the dais giving instructions on who was to be allowed into the area designated for dignitaries.

Some of the Cord security men who earlier in the morning were frisking wananchi entering the venue were overwhelmed by the numbers and gave up, leaving the police to do the checks. Police officers were stationed at various spots along the park fence armed with tear gas canisters and batons.

Several youths approached the venue chanting pro-Raila songs but were stopped and forced to walk in single file.

Motorists were also forced to alight from their vehicles so that they could be frisked, testimony to the heightened security in light of recent terrorist alerts. Crowds began flowing into the park at dawn for the rally which the leaders started addressing after 3 p.m.

IN-CHARGE OF SECURITY

Former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, who was in charge of security at Uhuru Park, denied the presence of the “Men in Black” but said there were at least 400 “professional” personnel tasked with maintaining private security.  

“Everything is under control, and our people are totally in charge of the situation,” he said, adding there was no need for the huge number of police officers.

The “Men in Black”, nicknamed for the colour of their suits and a film of the same name, gained notoriety when they destroyed voting material at Kasarani Stadium in February, leaving the country’s single largest political party ODM in a leadership crisis as two factions battled for control. 

ODM then set up a team to investigate the chaos, but no findings have been made public three months later.

Despite police promising investigations, no arrests have been made so far.   

The reappearance of some of the men who were in the “Men in Black” team at Kasarani lends credence to earlier claims that the goons were known within ODM circles and may have been used by some party leaders to disrupt the elections.

Despite the assurances by Cord leaders yesterday that they would have a flawless rally, there was confusion at various points, particularly after some leaders arrived with their own security detail, who were to access the VIP area.

There was, for instance, a scuffle as Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi, who uses a wheelchair, was making his way to the podium.

A Cord insider later claimed that some unidentified men were trying to take advantage of the confusion to gain access to the podium.

Meanwhile, groups of Cord supporters marched along various streets in the city centre throughout the day carrying placards in support of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

They disrupted traffic forcing motorists to give way. Some shops were closed for fear of looting.