Police officers have been defended by a section of clergy in Nakuru County after being put under pressure due to the manner they handled the riots that broke out during Cord’s Monday demonstrations.
Addressing journalists in Nakuru on Wednesday evening, the religious leaders under the Nakuru Church Elders Councils said: “Under the provision of Section 82 of the Penal Code, ‘police may use all such force as is reasonably necessary for overcoming such riots and shall not be liable in any criminal or civil proceedings’ ”.
In a statement read by Bishop Jackson Main of Victorious Community Church, the pastors said Chapter 4 of the Bill of Rights under article 20 of the constitution is an affirmation of the penal code section 82.
Bishop Maina said although the constitution allows for demonstrations and picketing, it is not in order for those taking part in demonstration to infringe on the rights of others by disrupting peace.
“Every person is equal before the law, and has the right to protection and equal benefit to the law. On the issue of IEBC, having stated the supremacy of the constitution as the supreme law of this land, there is no provision that states, Jubilee, Cord or any other political party can dialogue the removal of IEBC. Kenyans, let us obey the law of the land” Bishop Maina said.