Anglican Bishop to join anti-IEBC protests Monday

Anglican Church of Kenya Nyanza North Bishop James Ochiel has promised to join protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) next Monday.

Bishop Ochiel said he will take part in CORD’s protests in Homa Bay next week in solidarity with Kenyans.

He further condemned the police for using excessive force in handling CORD protesters calling for restraint during the protests.

Protests in Siaya and Kisumu turned ugly after police used live bullets to disperse the protesters. Three people were killed and scores injured in the melee.

Police have, however, defended their actions saying the law allows them to use force whenever their lives are threatened.

Police spokesman Charles Owino claimed that the protesters were armed with crude weapons and had posed a danger to the police, thus necessitating the use of live ammunition.

In an interview on Citizen TV’s Cheche Show on Wednesday, Owino said: “Police are allowed to go to protests with live bullets and can use them when their lives are in danger or there is a danger of destruction of property.”

He, however, called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to fast-track investigations into the happening in Siaya and Kisumu and take action against police officers found culpable of contravening the law.

The actions have also been widely condemned by CORD leaders Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula and Kalonzo Musyoka who termed them as barbaric and unlawful.

The leaders said they will advise the coalition lawyers to institute legal proceedings against the police force over the killings.

CORD has announced it will continue with its countrywide protests next Monday as it seeks to mount pressure on IEBC commissioners to resign.

The coalition has stated that it has no faith in the commission alleging that there is a plot to rig the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta back to power in the 2017 elections.

CORD leader Raila Odinga has claimed that IEBC commissioners have been promised government appointments at the end of their term in 2017 if they ensured Jubilee won the elections, allegations that the commission has refuted.

IEBC chair Issack Hassan has accused CORD of defaming the commissioners saying they would only resign if the opposition proved their claims.

@benjaminwafula