CORD changes tact in second anti-IEBC protests

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has so far made two attempts to evict Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners from office, but in both cases their efforts were thwarted by police.

In their last march to the Anniversary Towers, which houses IEBC, two weeks ago, CORD leaders and their supporters were dispersed as they attempted to force their way through the building’s main gate and access IEBC offices with police lobbying teargas at them.

Monday’s protests were, however, a little different with none of the CORD principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula getting anywhere near the IEBC gate.

The CORD brigade walked to Anniversary Towers, with their cars in tow, a change from last time when they drove to the venue and addressed their supporters from their vehicles.

In today’s march, the principals, together with CORD legislators including Senators James Orengo (Siaya), Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega), Johnston Muthama (Machakos), Anyang Nyong’o, (Kisumu), MPs John Mbadi (Suba), Junet Mohammed (Suna East), T.J. Kajwang (Ruaraka), Elizabeth Ongoro (Nominated Senator), Agnes Zani (Nominated Senator), ODM Nairobi chairman George Aladwa among others, marched to the offices, before making a brief address.

Orengo, Muthama, Wetangula, Kalonzo and Raila, in their addresses stated that they would not relent in their push to have the commissioners leave office before the next elections saying Kenyans have no confidence in them.

After the addresses, the leaders and their supporters proceeded to Anniversary Towers but unlike in their last protest none of the principals approached the gate.

As the principals and a host of other leaders waited at the road, 30 metres from the building which had been barricaded by armed police officers, John Mbadi and Junet Mohammed approached the officers manning the gate and demanded to be allowed into IEBC offices.

As was the case in the last protest, the principals had to be rushed to their vehicles and driven off. Senator Nyong’o was, however, seen helping journalists quell their anguish by providing them with bottled water later on.

Despite the resistance from the police, CORD has maintained that their weekly protests will go on with their next march set for next Monday.

@benjaminwafula