Kenyan opposition launch second protest against EC, police fire teargas
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Kenyan police fired teargas at hundreds of opposition supporters in the capital Nairobi calling for the sack of some electoral commission officials.
According to agency report, the demonstration is part of the weekly protests in several cities scheduled by the National Super Alliance (NASA) party led by Raila Odinga to demand reforms at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
They want the IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba and other commissioners to be sacked for allegedly rigging the August 8 elections in favour of the ruling Jubilee party.
It will be recalled that last week, the protesters in the port city of Kisumu burned car tyres, blocked roads and lit bonfires before the police shot tear gas to disperse them as they planned marching to the electoral commission offices.
The police said the protesters were not given approval and were informed not to hold the demonstration due to security concerns.
The protests are also being held in Kakamega, Mombasa, Homa Bay and Kisumu where security has been beefed up to stop the protesters.
NASA leader and presidential candidate Raila Odinga has warned the police not to attack or stop protesters from exercising their rights.
He vowed that until their demands are met, there will be demonstrations every Monday and Friday, and they will not be ready for the October 26 election re-run.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has also called on the public to ignore calls to demonstrate.
Meanwhile, an international group of envoys to Kenya have advised the Kenyan government against pushing through amendments to election laws as new presidential polls date draws near.
The envoys, led by US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, cautioned that the international community was keenly following actions by Kenyan politicians and would slap sanctions on those undermining peace.
Alleging that some Kenyans are stoking community tensions Mr Godec in a statement signed by 14 envoys said action would be taken against such individuals or groups, including travel bans and withdrawal of visas.
The ambassador made the remarks after meeting Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners at Bomas in preparation for the October 26 repeat presidential election.
