Police on horseback along University Way/MOSES MUOKI
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 2 – Anti-riot police have been mobilised in major towns, ahead of the planned anti Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) mass protests by the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA), aimed at pushing for reforms at the electoral body.
According to police, officers have been ordered to stay in strategic places to respond to any call.
In Nairobi, anti-riot police have been deployed to strategic areas with a focus on the IEBC headquarters at Anniversary Towers which is usually the epicenter of the demos.
NASA is demanding for Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba to step aside before the repeat presidential election is held.
The demos are aimed at forcing personnel changes at the IEBC and to protest proposed changes to the electoral laws as propagated by the Jubilee Party.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga who is adamant that he will not participate in the Oct 26 presidential poll barring reforms to the IEBC, has instructed governors and other elected leaders to lead the demonstrations in their respective regions, with police warning that they will not hesitate to take action against anyone found flouting the law.
Police stand guard outside the IEBC Anniversary Towers headquarters/MOSES MUOKI
Jubilee has brought to the bicameral House two bills, the Election Laws Amendment Bill 2017 and the Election offences Amendment Bill 2017, which they argue will seal election management loopholes.
The Bills were tabled last week on Thursday during an extraordinary morning session in which both Houses voted to reduce the maturity date from 14 to 1 day.
The government through State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu has assured of adequate security on Monday when the Opposition plan to hold their demonstration.
About The Author
