CORD takes Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa head on over violence claims

The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) has reacted angrily to claims by Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is behind the recent violence in the region, including Sunday's gun attack in Likoni where four people were killed.

The claims sparked a sharp protest from ODM's national leadership and CORD leaders at the Coast, who called for Marwa's immediate removal from office because he was being used by Jubilee. Claims similar to Marwa's were first made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku in the wake of mid-June massacre in Lamu that left about 60 people dead.

Marwa claimed he had received intelligence linking ODM to the Likoni violence and an alleged scheme to cause tension using the thorny land question in the Coast. "The attacks in Soweto was part of propaganda," he said.

He did not name any ODM politician but claimed the opposition is using money to hire youth to commit crime. Last evening CORD called for Marwa's removal, describing him as reckless.

A statement released by CORD's Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar accused Marwa and Lenku of trying to usurp powers over police and security operations. Omar blamed Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and the National Police Service Commission of allowing the alleged usurpation.

Omar, flanked by Nyali MP Hezron Awiti Bolo, Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi and 23 Ward representatives accused Marwa of interfering in police operations.

"The county commissioner has failed in his work and also interfering with police work and should be removed," said Omar. Awiti asked Marwa to stop shifting blame as Mwinyi warned Marwa's claims were inciting. Mombasa County Commander, Robert Kitur, said the police had arrested one person in connection with the Soweto attack.