NYERI MAY 24, 2016(CISA)-Archbishop Peter Kairo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has urged the government and the opposition to embrace dialogue to end demonstrations seeking the removal from office the commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“Only dialogue can solve this crisis, not demos. Let us sit together and solve this matter. I appeal to all Kenyans to maintain peace. We need peace and only Christ can bless us with that peace,” said Archbishop Kairo.
Speaking during the First Anniversary of Sister Irene Nyaatha’s beatification at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology grounds in Nyeri, Archbishop Kairo noted that the best way to solve the problem at the IEBC was that the leaders need to show good example by embracing peace.
“You remember the year 2007-2008 all we went through was tough. All that happened that time should never happen again. We say no to violence, no to killings, no to violence no to injustices,” said Archbishop Kairo.
Three people were killed during Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) protests Monday May 24 in Kisumu and Siaya.
According to the police, two of the demonstrators were shot by Administration Police officers who responded during an attack on their camp in Siaya.
A statement from Police Headquarters said the officers were acting in self defence after the mob attempted to set ablaze IEBC and sub-county offices.
“A mob with catapults attacked Siaya sub-county offices and seriously injured 29 officers as they attempted to set ablaze DCC and IEBC offices as well as AP camp. The officers fired in self defence and fatally injured two people,” the statement indicated.
Five other protesters were shot and wounded by prison warders who accused demonstrators of trying to free some 35 dangerous criminals who were being ferried from a court in Kehancha to Migori.
One other person died while undergoing treatment in Kisumu after falling on the tarmac as the as the mob there fled from police officers.
However, in Nairobi, attempts by CORD leaders led by Raila Odinga to stage a sit-in at Anniversary Towers failed after anti-riot police officers dispersed them using teargas and water cannon
