Kenya police outlaw opposition protests against poll officials

The Kenyan police on Friday rejected a request of the opposition to hold a demonstration slated for June 6 against officials of the electoral body.

The police said a notification from the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (CORD), the opposition, to conduct the weekly protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was received but was formally declined because the High Court had declined to declare the protests lawful.

"We wish to inform that the notification cannot be honoured on account of valid orders issued by the High Court on April 29 with two extensions of May 6, barring any demonstrations against the IEBC," Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said.

The CORD initially suspended the weekly demonstrations against the IEBC to allow for the formal negotiations with the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta on the terms of creating a new electoral body to run the presidential and parliamentary polls in August 2017.

IEBC chairman, Isaac Hassan, insists none of the commissioners would be forced to resign from office on account of the opposition push, insisting doing so, would be cowardly and a setback to the constitution.

However, the opposition under the leadership of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, insists the protests are legal and are being conducted under the constitutional rights of citizen sovereignty.

Police said demonstrators turning out for the weekly protests would be acting against the law and would be dealt with according to the law.

The weekly demonstrations, heading to their fifth week in a row, have been taking place in major towns and cities, with the biggest turnout in western Kenya, Nairobi and the coastal town of Mombasa.

The police have been responding to the demonstrations by using teargas and high-powered water cannon and in most cases, violently dispersing the demonstrators.

The police have been roundly condemned for their brutality after an incident in which a policeman was caught on camera beating one demonstrator with heavy batons and kicks.

Last week, U.N. Human Rights Commissioner Rupert Colville, issued a statement condemning the police brutality in Kenya.

Several people, including 11 policemen were injured during the protests last week. Two people were also shot dead during the protests.

Rights officials have termed the police action against the weekly protests as "extremely disturbing" especially after the May 16 protests, which they say have raised serious questions about whether Kenya's security services are abiding by national and international laws and standards governing legal, strictly necessary and proportionate use of force. Endit