CORD leaders accuse State of cancelling rally

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders in the North Rift region have expressed disappointment over the eleventh-hour cancellation of tomorrow's rally in Eldoret town.

Organisers said they had notified the police of the intended meeting and were issued with a permit only to be surprised that it had been cancelled on security grounds.

Expressing their disappointment, CORD supporters accused the Government of what they termed as 'intimidation of the Opposition', adding that the State should instead have provided security for the rally.

Organisers had set the rally for 64 Stadium in Eldoret town,  where former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was expected to address the public, among other party leaders.

Last week, ODM officials Kipkorir Menjo and David Songok, speaking separately, assured the coalition's supporters that the rally would go on as planned despite the postponement of last weekend's rallies in Kisii and Nakuru.

Freedom of association

They said the Constitution guarantees all citizens the freedom of association and assembly and that the Government should instead have provided security and not cancelling it.

Mr Menjo had stated the rally would be used to address issues pertaining to the region including agriculture and insecurity.

The leaders who addressed the Press from a hotel in Eldoret on Tuesday evening said the Government was taking the country back to the dark days by cancelling the CORD rally.

Charles Tanui, the Uasin Gishu CORD secretary general said he was bitter at the cancellation of the meeting. He cautioned Kenyans to beware of plans by the Government to silence the Opposition.

"I am bitter about the cancellation of the rally. I want to urge Kenyans to keenly watch the Government of the day because it's being unfair to the Opposition," Tanui said.

Silencing opposition

Menjo said he had in his possession a permit that had been signed earlier by the police allowing them to hold the rally at 64 Stadium. He also noted that he had received the cancellation letter for the same.

In the letter addressed to Menjo, police said the rally would not take place due to the volatile security situation on the ground as guided by intelligence reports.

The latest move comes as some county chiefs from the region had earlier been quoted saying that they would oppose CORD rallies in their region.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Nandi Deputy Governor Dominic Biwot had said they would not allow the rallies to take place in their regions.

Supporters of CORD have maintained that it is the Government's duty to offer security during rallies.