The National Super Alliance and the police
appear set for a clash after the opposition vowed to defy an order
barring them from holding a public rally in the capital Nairobi.
The
police order is the second in less than 24 hours after Nasa supporters
were banned from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where they are
scheduled to receive Nasa chief Raila Odinga and his deputy Kalonzo
Musyoka on Friday.
JKIA
Inspector-General
of police Joseph Boinett on Wednesday warned the coalition against
taking the million-man match to JKIA, saying; “the move will undermine
security.”
The rally at the historic
Kamkunji grounds in Nairobi is a curtain-raiser to a major rally at
Uhuru Park to celebrate the return to the country of the Nasa leaders.
Mr
Odinga and Kalonzo are set to touch down on Friday morning after a
10-day tour of the United States where he gave lectures and attended
meetings with US congressional committees.
Mr Kalonzo has been in Germany on private business.
According
to Nasa plan, Mr Odinga’s entourage will head to Uhuru Park through the
Outer Ring, Jogoo, Landhies, Haile Selassie roads and Harambee Avenue.
KCSE TESTS
However,
Nairobi county police commander Japheth Koome has opposed Nasa plans,
saying they will interfere with the ongoing Form 4 national exams.
“The
decision to ban the rally was informed by a request by the Kenya
National Examinations Council not to allow public events or meetings in
the vicinity of schools. Therefore, planned Nasa rally is not
permitted,” said Mr Koome.
Mr Koome’s
order comes even as the National Resistance Movement wing of Nasa
released its itinerary for Thursday and maintained that the Kamukunji
rally will go on regardless.
According
to Nasa head of communication, there will be a press briefing at noon
at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to be followed by a roadshow
to Shauri Moyo and later the rally at Kamukunji grounds.
ORENGO
Siaya
Senator and Nasa coordination co-chairman James Orengo, while
responding to Mr Koome’s order, termed the police move as absurd and
unconstitutional.
He assured Nasa supporters that the events for the two days would proceed as planned.
Mr Orengo said the law only requires one to inform the police of their intent to hold a rally, and not seek permission.
“They
(police) have been duly notified and unless the same venue has been
booked twice on that day, the police have no business purporting to ban
it," said Mr Orengo.
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