Acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i at a past event. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has slammed acting Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i for banning NASA from holding anti-IEBC protests in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu's Central Business District (CBD).The Wiper Senator said Matiang’i’s order is not backed by law and that the CS is wasting time calling for press conferences to issue baseless orders.Addressing residents in Kitui Town on Thursday, the Senator said NASA‘s protests are legal and within the confines of the law.The Senator told Matiang’i to read the law and stop embarrassing himself in front of media cameras by issuing orders that are not backed by the law. “The acting Interior CS has no powers to ban peaceful demonstrations which are backed by the law in constitution,” said Wambua.The former managing editor asked NASA supporters to ignore Matiang’i’s ban and turn up in large numbers for the weekly demos.The Wiper party Senator accused Jubilee government of allegedly trying to intimidate NASA from holding peaceful street protests.He said Jubilee’s plot will not work adding that their (NASA) push for electoral reforms is unstoppable.The Senator, however, urged NASA supporters to remain peaceful and not to engage in violent acts during the weekly protests.On Thursday, Matiang’i banned NASA from holding demonstrations in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa.The ban came following a spate of violence and looting that has been experienced in NASA’s recent anti-IEBC protests in the three counties.NASA top leaders have however threatened to sue Matiang’i over the ban insisting that they will continue with the weekly protests.Siaya Senator James Orengo has announced that the demonstrations will be conducted daily starting next week.