Opposition Protests Erupt in Nairobi

Opposition supporters demonstrate on Ngong Road, Nairobi Kenya. Tuesday 26th September 2017
Nairobi, Kenya
Opposition supporters are demanding the resignation of the Electoral Commission officers and took their demands to the Anniversary Towers in downtown Nairobi. Anniversary towers are the headquarters of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) the body mandated by the constitution to conduct elections in the country. But their rivals also showed up and police officers had to shoot tear gas to disperse the rowdy crowd.

The Supreme Court had earlier nullified the presidential election that was conducted on August 8 in which the incumbent, President Uhuru Kenyatta had been declared the winner. The court, in explaining their judgment put the blame on failings by the electoral commission.

The Commission had earlier set the date for the new presidential election to 26 October. The opposition leaders have a list of demands before they can agree to participate in the fresh elections. Top of which is the sacking and replacement of the senior management including the commissions Chief Executive, Ezra Chiloba. Chiloba has refused to resign and instead he wants dialogue between both parties.

The opposition is vowing daily protests until the Electoral Commission gives way. This will undoubtedly exacerbate the tensions in the country .