Jubilee MPs want CORD principals’ bodyguards withdrawn

Jubilee MPs have called on the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to withdraw the bodyguards assigned to CORD principals for allegedly participating in the anti-IEBC protests.

The MPs, Maina Kamanda (Starehe), Dennis Waweru (Dagoretti South), John Njoroge (Kasarani), Stephen Kariuki (Mathare) condemned the Monday protests terming them as an avenue to loot and harass the public.

Waweru called on any businessperson whose shop was looted to record a statement at the Central Police Station and press charges against CORD leader Raila Odinga and the organisers of the demonstrations.

“We have asked anybody whose shop was looted, vehicle vandalised or injured by the protesters to proceed to Central Police Station where we have opened an inventory with a view of pressing charges. Raila and other organisers of the demos must bear personal responsibility,” said Waweru.

The MPs also called on Boinnet to ban CORD’s demonstrations and hold the leaders liable for any cases of looting and destruction of property incurred during the protests.

“We are asking the police to protect business people from hooligans and looters. If they don’t, our people will protect themselves and their property,” said Kamanda.

The MPs’ statement comes a day after police thwarted CORD’s third attempt at storming IEBC offices in a month.

Police rounded up CORD supporters as they held a brief meeting, just 50 metres from Anniversary Towers which houses the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), lobbing teargas and beating up some of them.

The ambush occurred just when the CORD principals were about to address their supporters, throwing the meeting into disarray.

Police lobbed teargas at the CORD leaders and their supporters forcing them to flee, while pursuing some of the supporters and roughing them up.

The acts have been widely condemned by Kenya National Human Rights Commission who accused police of using excess force.

So far one person has been reported dead after he was brutally beaten by police.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has promised to carry out investigations into Monday’s assault and take action against the officers responsible.

16 people have been arraigned in court for looting and destruction of property.

@benjaminwafula

Additional reporting by Francis Gachuri