Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has warned the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) against holding their planned Madaraka Day rally at Uhuru Park.
Speaking in Kajiado on Sunday, the CS said he will not allow the coalition to continue disregarding the law by engaging in unlawful activities.
“We will not give Cord any more room to challenge the government of the day. We will rein in Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Moses Wetangula, Kalonzo Musyoka and Senators James Orengo and Johnstone Muthama if they continue breaking the law,” said Nkaissery.
He said he will not allow the opposition to hold a parallel rally on June 1 as only the president is allowed to preside over national celebrations.
“Cord leader Raila Odinga is not the president and should therefore not take over functions that are a preserve of the Head of State,” he said.
He added, “Madaraka Day is a national holiday and therefore only the president is allowed to preside over such functions. By organising a parallel rally at Uhuru Park, Cord is contravening the law and we will not allow them to do that.”
In regards to the anti-IEBC protests, the CS denied claims of use of excessive force, adding that the police acted within the confines of the law. He however pointed out that police will not hesitate to use maximum force to prevent further violation of the law.
This comes amid the current standoff over who will hold their rally at Uhuru Park. Both Cord and Prayers Beyond Boundaries Ministries Bishop Lucy Ngunjiri have maintained that they will hold their rallies at the venue come Wednesday.