NASA anti-IEBC demonstrations in Nairobi, October 2, 2017. [Photo|Winnie Nyandiga]NASA demonstrations against the electoral body, IEBC, took place for the second time, Monday October 2, a week after the first demonstrations were held.NASA leaders led by presidential candidate Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and Moses Wetangula called for the countrywide protests, by its local leaders and supporters, to demand dismissal of IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba, over claims he colluded with other staff, to rig August 8 polls."A free and fair election is of paramount importance for the preservation of the rule of law and just governance. To this end we call upon all Kenyans of goodwill to use their constitutionally given right to picket at IEBC offices countrywide to remind the commission that it shall not be business as usual," said Odinga.On the first day of the protests on September, the protests were conducted specifically in Nairobi City and Kisumu town, and some parts of Siaya and other Luo Nyanza counties.Howeve, Nasa principals were nowhere to be seen in the demos. Only some NASA MPs (such as Milli Odhiambo, Aisha Jumwa), MCAs, senators and governors (such as Prof Anyang' Nyang'o), participated in the demonstrations.Security detail of three NASA principals had been withdrawn.
On October 2, the demonstrations were conducted in various parts of the country, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Vihiga, Busia, Embu, Garissa, Kakamega, Mombasa, Migori and Siaya, with police engaging demonstrators in running battles, in many of the areas.Several Nasa leaders in counties led the demos, which saw none of the NASA principals participate, despite calling for them."They must pave way for much needed reforms to ensure that the will of the majority, as expressed through the ballot, prevails," Raila said, citing why the demos should be conducted.Nasa bosses are yet to comment as to why they are yet to physically participate in the demos, which have seen one person injured (last week) and one dead, Monday, in Siaya, after being teargassed by the police.