Security enhanced ahead of Tononoka rally

MOMBASA COUNTY: Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in Mombasa ahead of tomorrow’s Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) rally to push for the national dialogue in the light of terror incidents in region.

Several Coast MPs toured the historic Tononoka grounds in Mombasa Friday ahead of the rally even as some human rights activists warned that the opposition coalition’s rallies could spark chaos in the volatile county.

The MPs said participants will undergo thorough screening to ensure security was beefed up following incidents of terror in the coastal city.

PAST WOUNDS

The Coast CORD team chairman and Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu also said no vehicles would be allowed to be parked in the grounds to ensure security was tightened.

“We are working closely with the county government and the police to ensure that there is no security lapse at the meeting,” Mwadeghu said.

Friday, Mombasa based Christian for Human Rights Activists (CHRA) and National Movement for Change warned that CORD rallies were “opening past wounds and could polarize the country.”

Addressing the press in Mombasa, CHRA acting Secretary General, Mwamuye Chimwaga, said that tension was rising in some parts of the country adding that CORD’s leader Raila Odinga should use his influence to preach peace.

“It is our appeal to fellow Kenyans to stand in solidarity with President Uhuru Kenyatta. We ask Baba Raila Odinga to also have restraint because some of his lieutenants were inciting Kenyans,” said Chimwaga.