Kalonzo denies he escaped teargas at IEBC protest

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has come out to dispel reports that he abandoned CORD’s anti-IEBC protests to avoid being teargassed.

Commenting for the first time on the matter that has been a subject of public speculation, Kalonzo blamed the media for creating false reports saying he was present when teargas was lobbed at them as they attempted to access IEBC offices at Anniversary Towers last Monday.

Speaking in Kajiado during the homecoming ceremony of Kajiado Central MP Elijah Memusi on Saturday, the CORD co-principal further noted that the coalition leaders would lead a second protest march to the offices as they push for their removal from office.

He noted that the coalition has no confidence in the commission and its ability to hold a free and fair General Election in 2017, saying urgent reforms should be effected before the next polls.

“On Monday we will be back at the IEBC offices to force them out of office. I will carry my Maasai rungu (club) to protect myself,” he stated amid laughter from the public.

CORD’s last week’s march to the offices, located at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi was thwarted after police lobbed teargas at the supporters after they made attempts to bring down the gate and force their way into the commission’s offices.

Images and clips of CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula become topics of discussion in various social forums and mainstream media with many people raising questions on whether it was necessary for police to use teargas to stop the protest.

Kalonzo’s absence from the clips and photos taken during the melee however raised concerns over whether the Wiper leader, who was initially visible in the march, was present when protestors were dispersed.

Speaking at the same function, Suna East MP Mohammed Junet said IEBC is working with Jubilee MPs to frustrate CORD’s Okoa Kenya referendum drive saying they have no faith in the electoral agency.

“When IEBC was picked it had nine commissioners but Jubilee MPs Johnson Sakaja and Aden Duale were included when we took our Okoa Kenya signatures to make it 11. Now President Kenyatta and his deputy Ruto have joined the commission to bring the number to 13,” said Junet.

“We want Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula and Kalonzo Musyoka to be included in the commission to make it 16.”

Meanwhile, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale has said that CORD member do not fear teargas and are ready for any resistance when they organise their second march to IEBC offices on Monday.

Khalwale called on Luhya leaders to join the march saying it is the only way that Kenyans will realise a reformed electoral system that will in turn guarantee a free and fair 2017 General Election.

@benjaminwafula