Security council: No rally will be held at Uhuru Park, Nyayo Stadium

Nairobi County government had okayed the Opposition's planned assembly.

Cord leader Raila Odinga addresses worshippers at ACK Cathedral Church in Mombasa on May 29, 2016. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• This directive comes after the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) said the alliance would lead a parallel one at Uhuru Park.

By JOHN NGIRACHU
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The National Security Advisory Committee has ordered that no political or prayer rally be held at either Uhuru Park or Nyayo Stadium during Madaraka Day.

This directive comes after the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) said that while President Uhuru Kenyatta leads the commemoration at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on June 1, the coalition will lead a parallel one at Uhuru Park.

Earlier, the Nairobi County government, through county Secretary Robert Ayisi, had okayed the Opposition's planned rally after resolving a standoff between Cord and the Prayers Beyond Boundaries Ministry, saying City Hall had written to the Christian organisation revoking its permit for the planned prayers on June 1.

In a press statement sent to the Nation by government spokesman Erick Kiraithe, the security committee convened on Monday to evaluate the security threats emanating from a double booking of the grounds and decided on the following:

First, neither of the parties that had reserved the venue would be permitted to use the grounds on the material day. Both parties have been asked to reorganise their activities accordingly.

Second, Nyayo Stadium would remain closed on Wednesday and no functions will be held there.

He also said that security measures would be put in place to ensure public safety