It's not about police but their bosses misusing their powers

What was experienced at Uhuru Park during the Madaraka Day CORD rally brought in a new twist about the relationship between the public and the police.

In most cases, police bosses have always accused the public of provoking the police by breaking law and order by engaging in violent activities of destroying property while demonstrating, which forces them to use force.

The level of peace and order observed at Afraha and Uhuru Park could make someone ask if indeed the police also attended the functions.

The relationship between the police and the public both at Afraha and at the CORD rally at Uhuru Park was very encouraging.

We have seen in the past how peaceful demonstrations result in chaos and violence after police interference. Police in most of such occasions have used excessive force to disperse the demonstrators.

The use of force has been strongly condemned by many organisations as well as religious and political leaders.

The police deployed to Uhuru Park on Wednesday conducted themselves in a manner that one could think they were a new breed of officers from another planet.

There was a good relationship between them and the public.

In Kisumu, I also noted such a positive cohesion between the police and CORD supporters who gathered at Kirembe grounds to pray for the three individuals who lost their lives during the last anti-IEBC protest.

I am, therefore, forced to ask: between the police and the protesters, who exactly starts the chaos to the level that the officers are forced to use excessive force?

When the chaos escalates to a level where live bullets are used, are the police officers carried away by the mob justice spirit or do they respond to orders from above?

If it is orders they follow, then they are not to be blamed but their bosses.

I want to believe that any driver is aware that a traffic police order is always final. If they say you go, even if the traffic light shows red you have to go. If they say you stop, then you  have to abide by that order even if the traffic light shows green.

This example applies to the junior police officers, who have to abide by orders from their bosses.

Following the peaceful rally at Uhuru Park, it is very clear that peace and order can be maintained in any rally if the police strictly play the role of providing security.

{Nicholas Ouma, Kisumu}

We all know that Ruto opposed the Constitution during the referendum but since the majority of Kenyans chose it, the Deputy President is abiding by the law and nothing else.

Mr Ruto simply wants leaders to respect the Constitution in addressing the challenges facing the country instead of doing business in contravention of the law.

We should all know that the ongoing protests by Raila and his team are aimed at violating the Constitution for the benefit of CORD leaders and have nothing to do with the common people.

But for anyone to claim that the deputy president is to blame for the failed talks between the Opposition CORD and the Jubilee administration is a joke of the highest order.

In short, the Opposition should leave Ruto alone and follow the law in presenting their grievances.

After all, they are the ones who played a key role in voting for the constitution during the 2010 referendum.