Islamic lobby slams CORD over calls for mass action

The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) has accused the Opposition coalition of plotting to bring down the Jubilee government through mass unrest.

“CORD has unveiled a move to bring down the Government through mass movement. As Muslims, we are not going to be part of the mass action,” said the council’s organising secretary Sheikh Khalifa Mohammed.

Addressing a Press conference at the council headquarters in Mombasa yesterday, Sheikh Khalifa said CORD was taking Kenya into ‘political instability’.

The cleric advised the Opposition to take their grievances over bad governance to either Parliament or the Senate, not to the public, saying politicians should learn from Somalia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Yemen and Ukraine that have suffered severe political instability.

Sheikh Khalifa said the council supported Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo’s ban on any gathering or mass movement called by several parties.

“Kenya is in the process of healing after the 2007-2008 post-election violence and Kenyans are not ready to be taken back to those dark days,” added Khalifa.

He questioned why the Opposition was calling for a mass movement to impeach the Government yet they were in power several years ago and were allowed to complete their tenure.

“These people clamouring for mass action are frustrated politicians who want to cause political turmoil or unrest. Kenya is not ready to lose more lives,” said Khalifa.

CIPK Mombasa County secretary Sheikh Mohamoud Abdullahi said Kenya was currently experiencing insecurity and impeaching the Government would only cause more chaos.

The council brings together imams and Muslim preachers allied to former nominated MP Sheikh Mohamed Dor. It supported the Jubilee government’s  election.