Opposition CORD suspends anti-IEBC protests

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has made an unprecedented turnabout and temporarily suspended their protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) slated for every Monday.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, Siaya Senator James Orengo said the move is aimed at giving dialogue a chance saying they will give the Jubilee government until June 5th to respond to their demands failure to which they will return to the streets.

Orengo added that CORD already has a team that will oversee the dialogue process calling for a structured system of dialogue that is not led by any Parliamentary committee.

He noted that they had taken the decision following calls by the international community to give dialogue a chance.

The coalition stated that it would instead spend their time next week to pursue peace and justice through prayers and comfort victims of last protests.

“We shall hold forums to condole with those friends and families of those who died in last week’s protests and comfort those who were injured,” said Orengo.

The announcement signifies a change in tact by the coalition which had insisted they would continue with the protests until IEBC commissioners vacate office.

Speaking after Monday protests, CORD leader Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula and Kalonzo Musyoka had stated that they would press on with the protests every Monday until Issack Hassan-led commission is disbanded.

CORD leaders have accused IEBC commissioners of engaging in corruption including the improper procurement of BVR kits prior to the 2013 elections.

They have also claimed that the commissioners are colluding with Jubilee to rig President Uhuru Kenyatta back into office during the 2017 elections, allegations that IEBC chair has vehemently refuted.

In his responses, Issack Hassan stated that the commissioners would resign if CORD proved their claims warning CORD against subjecting them to defamation and humiliation due to their position as public servants.

CORD’s past demands for dialogue to discuss the reconstitution of the IEBC have been rubbished by Jubilee, who said any intentions to disband the commission should be in line with the Constitution.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have in several occasions come out to rebuke CORD leaders for leading protests against IEBC that have significantly affected business operations in Nairobi’s CBD.

Speaking last week, President Kenyatta termed CORD’s protests as insignificant saying they are an outdated model of seeking solutions to issues.

“It is a shame to see people the age of our fathers sitting on the road every week in the name of pushing for the disbandment of IEBC.”

“They should know that I have no powers to disband the IEBC. Those powers, which were present during former President Daniel Moi’s era were scrapped off by the new Constitution,” he said during his visit of North Eastern region.

Amani National Congress Musalia Mudavadi has also joined the call for the resignation of IEBC commissioners urging President Kenyatta to reign on them to vacate office owing to their links to corruption.

@benjaminwafula