On the day his two petitions were being mentioned before the Supreme Court, the flagbearer of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) in the disputed presidential elections dubbed his tour, ‘thank you rallies’. He explained that they were meant to thank his supporters for voting for him.
The new move comes hot on the heels of the petition Raila has filed in Supreme Court challenging Uhuru’s declared victory in first round by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
On Wednesday, Raila who flew in from the Coast on Tuesday in time to meet CORD Senators-elect for a media breakfast at Nairobi Club, declared that the rallies were meant to “thank” supporters who voted for his coalition during the polls.
During the talks Raila’s running mate Kalonzo Musyoka told the leaders he had been receiving overtures from Jubilee to abandon CORD, but affirmed he was in CORD to stay.
“They are asking me to join them through SMSs they have been sending. I want to tell them to stop wasting their time since I am not interested and I am in CORD to the end,” Kalonzo declared.
The first in series of rallies lined up countrywide are to be held in Nyanza and Western provinces on Saturday and Sunday.
Raila and Kalonzo will address rallies in Kakamega, Kisumu, and Nakuru.
The CORD leadership says the meetings were part of a series of many others across the country.
Interestingly the planned meetings come amid announcement by Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo banning all rallies countrywide during this post-election period.
Last week Kimaiyo declared police would not allow political meetings and warned against planned demonstrations, which he described as a threat to peace.
Kimaiyo banned all demonstrations and prayer gatherings outside the church or mosque or other prayer sanctuaries.
He called upon religious leaders to restrict their prayers to their worship places. “We are privy to information that there are people who are planning to conduct demonstrations in the city and throughout the country. These demonstrations are illegal and public are advised to keep off from them,” said Kimaiyo in a statement read on his behalf by Administration Police spokesman Masoud Munyi.
“This is not acceptable since it has the potential to generate unnecessary tension and strain the harmonious existence enjoyed by our people,” he added.
The Inspector General said they were discouraging gatherings outside worship places so as to disengage the people from the election mood, and avoid causing annoyance or breach the peace of others.
However, Wednesday when contacted Kimaiyo appeared to have softened his stand saying police will monitor the events as they unfold.
GATHERINGS
“Everyone has a right to meet and air their grievances, but that can be relative. You must respect my rights as you enjoy your freedom,” he added.
Kimaiyo, however, indicated those planning to hold public rallies were required to alert police on time for security arrangements.
“We know the Bill of Rights is powerful and clear on that and we hope the leaders will abide by rules of engagement in the planned rallies,” Mr Kimaiyo said.
Kimaiyo explained the campaign period ended before March 4, but added the CORD leaders have a right to travel and “meet their people” as long as there was no incitement to violence.
He, however, added the coalition had not informed his office of the planned rallies.
On Saturday, Raila, Kalonzo, and Bungoma Senator-elect Moses Wetangula will be in Kakamega for the first round of the rallies.
The following day on Sunday, Raila will retreat to his home turf of Kisumu as Kalonzo leads another group to Nakuru.
Speaking to journalists after the breakfast meeting, Roads minister Franklin Bett who chairs CORD election board said 20 senators-elect attended the meeting, which was also used to strategise on the upcoming rallies.
“The three principals have met with our elected Senators first to have a formal get-together and secondly to give them a message to send back home,” he said.
Bett added: “The meeting stressed on the need for peace and calm among our supporters. The Senators-elect have been told to take this message back to the grassroots as they await the outcome of the petition.”
Raila is fighting to maintain CORD’s unity ahead of whatever ruling will come from the Supreme Court. It may uphold or annul Uhuru’s declared victory.
While briefing journalists Wetangula said Wednesday’s meeting was part of a series of many the coalition was planning across the country to thank their supporters and congratulate those who won.
“We will be meeting caucuses across the country to encourage and thank them,” he added.
The leaders were flanked by Nairobi Governor-elect Evans Kidero, former MPs Rueben Ndolo, Kalembe Ndile, Kisumu County Senator-elect, Anyang’ Nyong’o, and Assistant ministers Elizabeth Ongoro, and Margaret Wanjiru, among others.
- The Standard
