A section of Kiambu town residents want the government to lift the ban barring Cord leaders from holding their rally at Uhuru Park tomorrow.
Geoffrey Kimani, a tuk tuk operator in Kiambu said that the move by the government to bar Cord from holding their rally at Uhuru Park contravenes their constitutional right.
“The government should allow opposition leaders to hold their rally at Uhuru Park or any other venue so long as it is peaceful,” said Mr Kimani.
Patrcia Wangeci, a worker with a Human Rights Organization in Kiambu said that the government reasons to bar Cord from accessing Uhuru Park for their rally on Madaraka day is unconstitutional.
“In fact the government should provide security to anyone who wishes to organize or hold a rally at any venue instead of blocking them,” she told HiviSaSa. Com on Monday.
The locals however want Cord leaders to ensure they exercise peace if granted permission to hold their planned rally.
“Acts of violence and disturbance to peace should not be encouraged and political leaders should take charge of their actions,” added Wangeci.
On Monday government Spokesperson Erick Kiraithe said that Cord will not be allowed to hold their rally at Uhuru Park of Nyayo stadium.
Kiraithe said that the decision was reached after a national level security meeting.
Cord had planned a rally at Uhuru Park on Madaraka day as President Uhuru Kenyatta will be leading the celebrations in Nakuru County.
Cord leader Raila Odinga has since maintained that their planned rally at Uhuru Park in Nairobi tomorrow is still on despite the government declaring the venue a no go zone.
Odinga on Monday asked supporters to turn up for the rally at Uhuru Park saying that it is meant to preach peace and reconciliation.
“We are telling our supporters to start streaming at Uhuru Park from as early as 6 am on Wednesday,” said the Cord leader.
Odinga while addressing the media at his office in Nairobi accused the government of using every tool to silence the opposition.
“Our meeting at Uhuru Park on Madaraka day is meant to preach peace and unity and not to cause tension as being claimed by the government,” he said.
The former Prime minister said that their calls for reforms at IEBC should not be branded as attempts to overturn the Jubilee government.
The government has said that Cord will not be allowed to hold any rally at the Uhuru Park or Nyayo stadium.