NASA supporters on streets in anti-IEBC protests

Police officers disperse rioters during Anti IEBC demonstrations at Kondele in Kisumu county on October 11 2017. (Collins Oduor, Standard)

Security has been intensified in major cities in the country as anti-IEBC demonstrations begin in most parts of the country. Police have been battling with NASA leaders and supporters, preventing them from storming IEBC offices.

The anti-IEBC protests being pushed by National Super Alliance (NASA) leaders have now entered the fourth week even after acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said the demos are not allowed in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa CBDs.

NASA supporters in Kisumu started the demos Monday morning, chanting anti-IEBC slogans while shouting “no reforms no elections.”

A similar scenario was witnessed in Mombasa but police dispersed the demonstrators who were assembling with an aim of storming the CBD. Police have arrested a few protesters and several others injured in the process.

In Vihiga, residents stormed streets carrying twigs and placards demanding IEBC reforms. They called for resignation of IEBC Chief Executive Officer, Ezra Chiloba.

The protesters complained about police harassment but vowed to continue with the demos until NASA demands are fully addressed.

In Nairobi, more police officers were deployed to ensure no demonstrator finds his/her way to the IEBC headquarters at the anniversary towers. Reports indicate that NASA principals are expected to join demonstrators in Nairobi to push for IEBC reforms.

By Monday noon, several NASA leaders including Siaya Senator James Orengo and former Machakos senator Johnstone Muthama led their supporters into the Nairobi CBD amid running battles with police officers who used teargas to disperse them.

NASA leaders had planned to intensify the demos despite Raila Odinga pulling out of the October 26 repeat poll.