DP William Ruto tears into CORD in TV interview

Deputy President William Ruto has launched a scathing attack at the Coalition for Reforms Democracy (CORD) over their protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Big Question Tuesday night, Ruto said that CORD protests are aimed at disorienting the country and have dire implications on the country’s stability.

Ruto defended an order by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery banning CORD demonstrations saying that while the Constitution gives Kenyans the right to demonstrate and picket, a section of CORD supporters have used the opportunity to loot and destroy property, which is against the law.

He stated that the anti-IEBC protests are politically motivated and have nothing to do with improving the lives of Kenyans.

“What CORD is doing can be equated to Al Shabaab threats because in both cases, they map Kenya as an unsafe place and instills fear in Kenyans and investors,” he claimed.

“Whoever is organising these demonstrations should be concerned with the welfare of the country and figure out how to keen Kenyans safe.”

Ruto further said that any police officer who is found to have contravened the law in the handling of the protests will be brought to book.

“There are institutions including the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) that are responsible for bringing police officers who have contravened the law to book,” said the DP.

On whether the government will soften its stand and engage CORD in dialogue over the IEBC issue, Ruto said that doing so would set a precedence that would lead to the mutilation of the Constitution.

“CORD has told us that they know what the Constitution says about disbanding IEBC but want to ignore it and do thing their way. This is tantamount to impunity,” he said.

“Chapter One states that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenyan and shall be exercised only in accordance with the Constitution. CORD has clearly disregarded the last part of this clause.”

The deputy president said that it is unconstitutional for a few people to choose what is good for the entire country saying the only way to end the IEBC standoff is through parliament.

He further said that as Jubilee, they also have issues with the electoral commission but would not resort to holding protests over the same.

“There are stipulated mechanisms in the Constitution that ensures any issues against institutions like IEBC are sorted,” said Ruto.

The Deputy President also denied any links to the murder of Jacob Juma saying he is ready to record a statement on the matter when called upon.

@benjaminwafula