Court allows CORDs anti-IEBC protests, warns against use of force

The High Court has granted the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) their request to carry on with protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) but warned them against using force to eject IEBC commissioners from office.

In a ruling made on Thursday, High Court Judge Isaac Lenaola asked CORD to desist from acts of violence during their protests.

The ruling will be a reprieve to the opposition coming days after the same court stopped them from storming IEBC offices in a bid to evict the commissioners, after five Jubilee MPs moved to court seeking to stop the marches.

Despite the previous ruling, CORD had remained adamant that they would proceed with the protests from next Monday to force IEBC officers to resign.

The coalition has claimed they have no trust in the commissioners and would boycott the next elections if IEBC, as currently constituted, is left to run the elections.

In an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday, Raila claimed that IEBC commissioners had been promised government positions if they rigged the next elections in favour of President Uhuru Kenyatta, allegations that the commission had strongly refuted.

In a statement issued on Thursday, IEBC chair Ahmed Issack Hassan challenged Raila to substantial his claims saying his utterances are tantamount to defamation.

Hassan stated that the commission has put in place mechanisms to ensure the next elections are free and fair, calling on Kenyans to offer necessary support to ensure the commission succeeds in its mandate.

Foreign envoys have also expressed concerns over the recent uproar over IEBC saying their is need for the commission to engage political parties in order to find an amicable solution to the issues at hand.

The envoys, which include UK and US ambassadors further urged CORD to desist from engaging in activities that may compromise the country’s peace calling on Kenyans to ensure the 2017 General Election is free , fair and peaceful.

CORD has set the next protest for Monday, May 9, 2016.

The Opposition had postponed their protests scheduled for this week to create time to mourn the death of former First Lady Mama Lucy Kibaki who passed on last Tuesday.

Lucy’s body arrived in the country Sunday morning and will be buried on Saturday at her Othaya home.

@bemjaminwafula