Mutua warns CORD against violence at prayer meeting

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has warned organisers of a planned CORD prayer meeting in the town tomorrow against perpetuating violence.

The Governor asked Kenyans to embrace peace and non-violence means to agitate for their rights and urged them to reject what he termed blood thirsty politicians.

He said the county's Rapid Response Unit will be on standby to protect residents and their properties.
"We will not entertain any violence in our peaceful town. We ask the organisers of the prayers and their followers to come in peace and not cause destruction and mayhem," he said in his office yesterday.
Dr Mutua said Machakos people are peace loving and should not be dragged into acts of violence in the name of prayers.
"I want to ask Machakos residents to pray for those coming for the CORD prayers so that they will desist from spewing hate speech and engaging in violence," said Mutua.
He said measures have been put in place to ensure no crude weapons are transported to the venue of the prayers by erecting road blocks to inspect all incoming vehicles.
Mutua noted that freedom of speech and association should be respected and protected.

He said: "We will not allow hooliganism..."

He called on leaders to respect the courts. "We request that the courts be given respect and not ultimatums," said the Governor in an apparent reference to attacks on the Judiciary by a section of Opposition leaders.
Mutua said giving courts ultimatum is improper, undemocratic and an attempt to threaten the judicial system.
On the current political crisis, Mutua called for dialogue and peace saying there was nothing that cannot be solved by talking to each other.
"Inflaming tensions, destruction of property and killing of people either by police or demonstrators is wrong and should be condemned," he added.