CORD ordered to pay Nairobi County for using Uhuru Park

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has been ordered to pay the Nairobi County Government Ksh 250,000 for using Uhuru Park during their Madaraka Day rally.

In a letter addressed to CORD CEO Norman Magaya, Acting County Secretary Robert Ayisi said that the amount has not been settled, nine days after the coalition used the venue to hold their rally, saying the payment should be made before close of business on Thursday.

“I would appreciate if you could kindly make the necessary arrangements to settle the outstanding bill of Ksh 250,000 by Thursday 9th June 2016,” stated Ayisi.

CORD chose to hold parallel Madaraka Day celebrations at Uhuru Park on a day that the government held the official event at the Afraha Stadium.

The coalition leaders Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula turned down an invitation by President Uhuru Kenyatta to attend the Nakuru event saying they had already finished preparations for their rally.

The government had at first barred two warring parties – CORD and Prayer Beyond Boundaries Ministries – from holding a meeting at Uhuru Park  in a decision that the government spokesman Eric Kiraithe said was taken due to security concerns.

The High Court however nullified the ban giving CORD the green light to hold the event.

Justice George Odunga also directed Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to ensure peace is maintained before, during and after the CORD rally.

@benjaminwafula