Jubilee MPs vow to block Opposition's anti-IEBC protests

Jubilee legislators have vowed to block CORD protests, saying the Opposition must respect the Constitution.

The MPs maintained the Jubilee administration would follow what the Constitution says on the disbandment of constitutional institutions like the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

At the same time,  Deputy President William Ruto assured Kenyans that the IEBC dispute would be resolved. "Don't be worried, we will solve these issues," he said.

Speaking yesterday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Catholic Church in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, the DP also said the Constitution must be respected because it is the supreme law.

The DP was accompanied by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye, MPs Peter Mositet, Kimani Ichung'wah (Kikuyu), Dennis Waweru (Dagoretti) and Joseph Manje (Kajiado North).

Nkedianye (CORD) was opposed to his party's approach of protests and instead called for dialogue.

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Ruto said it was not possible for a few people to make national decisions when there is a Constitution that outlines what should be done.

"We told the people of Kenya we want to get rid of the old ways of doing things, where one or two people decide for the country. If we wanted as leaders, me and a few people, to continue to decide for the people of Kenya ,why did we ask the whole country to pass a new Constitution when we had no intention of abiding by it," said Ruto.

"Our stand is, we remain faithful to our Constitution", said Ichung'wah.

Waweru said Nairobi traders were tired of disruption of business operations in the city every Monday. "We will not accept people to use our children to cause violence and destroy property", he said.

Manje called on the people of Kajiado North not to participate in the protests, "because such issues can be solved through constitutional institutions."

And speaking in Nyahururu, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria demanded that the court orders issued by the High Court to block the protests be effected, failure to which they would use other means to block them. Speaking at Nyahururu PCEA Church yesterday, Kuria said it was wrong for the orders to be ignored since that was the only solution to block the demonstrations.

"This is a legal means, which we are following as Jubilee leaders. I will not sit as the law is being ignored and I vow to use any means to block the demonstrations," he said.

Kuria was accompanied by other Jubilee leaders among them Laikipia West MP Wachira Karani, Nakuru Woman Rep Lucy Mbugua and Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka, who all supported the move.

Kuria said that the demonstrations were ruining the economy, hence urged the Inspector General of police Joseph Boinett to make sure that the court order to bar the Opposition was effected.

He said he would lead the fight against the demonstrations, noting the claims by the Opposition that they had presented five members to lead the negotiations to remove the IEBC officials was a lie. The other leaders promised to support Kuria in his quest to block the protests.