Police lob teargas to disperse CORD supporters demonstrating in Kisumu

Police were forced to lob teargas to disperse demonstrators heading to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices in Kisumu to protest against commissioners and tear-gassing of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula on Monday.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party members in Kisumu on Tuesday morning took to the streets in protest against the local Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) following the botched plan in Nairobi.

Led by Kisumu County Governor Jack Ranguma, the ODM members are demonstrating in solidarity with their party leader Raila Odinga after his attempts to storm IEBC headquarters in Nairobi failed.

Central Gem MCA Fred Ouda was arrested after he chained himself to the Kisumu IEBC office gates.

Police were forced to unchain and place in custody the MCA, who had last year also stripped in Siaya to show support for Raila Odinga, even as the Kisumu protesters have been dispersed using teargas.

Hundreds of the ODM supporters had converged at Kondele before marching to IEBC Kisumu offices to paralyze operations but were repelled by the heavy contingent of anti-riot police officers present.

The demonstrators marched carrying placards calling for disbandment of the electoral body accusing it of lacking credibility and vowed to ensure the commissioners are sent home before the 2017 poll.

They say IEBC Commissioners must be forced out of office and a new team put in place to be able to conduct a free and fair election in 2017.

Police were Monday afternoon forced to use teargas to thwart attempts by Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders to storm IEBC offices at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.

There was tension at the poll body’s offices hours to the arrival of CORD leader Raila Odinga, co-principals Moses Wetangula and Kalonzo Musyoka for the much-publicised protest march with over 50 police officers deployed to cordon off the offices.

When the CORD leaders arrived at the site Monday afternoon, they made attempts to gain access to the IEBC offices to no success with police officers using teargas to disperse them.

The leaders were forced to retreat to their vehicles and drive off hurriedly.

Early Monday morning, Nairobi Police Commander Japheth Koome had warned CORD against causing chaos during their march to IEBC offices saying any unruly behaviour would be met by the full force of the law.