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Nasa anti-IEBC demos: Clash looms in Nairobi and Kisumu

By NATION TEAM
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Police and opposition supporters have clashed over the latter defied government ban and took their anti-IEBC demos some city centres.

In Mombasa, anti-riot police were not taking chances as they swarmed the coastal city's streets to enforce the government directive.

They dispersed a group of National Super Alliance (Nasa) supporters who had converged on Uhuru Gardens along Moi Avenue and later Nkrumah Road.

Deputy Governor William Kingi, Senator Mohammed Faki and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir were leading the protests when police fired the corrosive gas.

The protesters and their leaders scampered for safety, with police in hot pursuit.

It was not immediately clear if the officers made any arrests and if the protesters suffered any injuries.

In Kisumu, Orange Democratic Movement, a Nasa affiliate party, said they would enter the CBD of the lakeside city.

nasa demos mombasa

Anti-riot police officers patrol Uhuru Gardens in Mombasa. They dispersed Nasa supporters who were assembling there. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Kisumu Senator Fred Outa told the Nation that they would stage demos in all parts of the town, including the city centre.

According to Mr Outa, Interior acting Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, who banned the demos in CBDs, does not have powers over the Constitution which "guarantees right to picket."

Nasa demos

Police disperse Nasa demonstrators on Nkrumah Road in Mombasa. PHOTO | MOHAMED AHMED | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Already, protestors have started gathering at Kondele area in readiness for their march to the offices of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Milimani.

Police blocked major roads leading to town at the Aga Khan roundabout.

They used teargas to break up an assembly of Nasa supporters around the Aga Khan Hospital and the town’s main stage.

Homa Bay protests

Anti-IEBC protesters used burning tires to barricade roads in Homa Bay. PHOTO BARACK ODUOR | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Nairobi, there was an uneasy calm and normalcy ahead of the planned Nasa demos.

But the central business district was on a police lockdown.

Although a number of businesses were open in the midmorning, police officers continued patrols along major streets of the capital.

Uhuru Park, where the demos have been starting, was cordoned off by police to allow military training ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations.

nasa demos

Anti-riot police guard IEBC headquarters at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi. PHOTO | SILA APOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The officers, dressed in anti-riot gears, equally sealed off the anniversary towers, which houses the IEBC headquarters.

ODM Chairman John Mbadi told the Nation that he was preparing to lead the demos to the city centre.

He said they do not Dr Matiang'is directive.

He said they were prepared for anything as they seek to “liberate majority Kenyans from autocratic rule”.

The opposition is pushing for systems and personnel changes at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) before repeat presidential election, including the dropping of Dubai-based ballots printer Al Ghurair and French technology supplier OT-Morpho.

Nasa also wants IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba and 10 other top officials accused of bungling August 8 poll , which was quashed by the Supreme Court, shown the door.

More follows.

Reported by Mohamed Ahmed, Justus Ochieng, David Mwere and Silas Apollo.

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