We will not be cowed by police brutality, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka say

A policeman repeatedly kicks a protester as he lies in the street after tripping over while trying to flee from them, during the anti-IEBC protest in Nairobi. (PHOTO: AP)

Opposition leaders have condemned the police for using excessive force to disperse "peaceful demonstrators".

CORD leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka yesterday vowed to continue with the protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying they would not be intimidated by security forces.

The CORD co-principals accused the police and Jubilee administration of disrupting the demonstrations countrywide.

On his vehicle which was hit by an object on the co-driver's side, Raila said he did not want to speculate on whether it was a bullet or a stone.

He, however, said from his assessment, the object must have been moving at a very high speed.

"I don't want to speculate that is for the experts to tell us. But if you look at the penetration, it tells you that it was an object that was moving at a very high speed," Raila said yesterday.

He said he was not in the vehicle when the car was hit.

The former Prime Minister told President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, that they will not succeed in blackmailing them to stop the protests.

"We want to say that these demonstrations will continue despite the kind of force the Government is trying to use. We want to urge President Kenyatta and his deputy to stop day dreaming that they can blackmail or intimidate us into submission," he said.

The leaders said the Jubilee government should be held responsible for the damages and injuries sustained during the protests, as it was the police who attacked the protesters.

The CORD leaders further alleged that the Jubilee coalition hired hooligans who threw stones at the protesters, disrupting the demonstrations.

"These were goons and criminals hired by Jubilee. They threw stones at the protesters and also broke into business premises stealing goods," he alleged.

There were reports that several shops were broken into by those who were participating in the protests.

Raila said several protesters were injured by police, and one of them is currently in a critical condition at Nairobi Hospital after he was shot on the leg by police.

The victim also sustained serious injuries on the head after he was hit by blunt objects by security forces.

The leaders said, police had particularly targeted the victim during the demonstrations.

Raila hit out at Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery over remarks that he would not allow any protests by CORD.

They also protested against Mr Nkaissery's threats to withdraw their security details over the demonstrations.

"If he attempts to withdraw our security, he will be in breach of the Constitution and we will hold him accountable. The officers are assigned to us through an Act," he said.

Kalonzo said one of his security aides was withdrawn following the first protest after he was pictured shielding him from being hit by a security officer.