Police use tear gas, water cannon to disperse Raila’s convoy – PHOTOS
Police on Monday used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the convoy of Cord leader Raila Odinga as it made its way to the head office of the electoral commission in the city centre.
Police had largely succeeded in barring Opposition leaders and their supporters from accessing the central business district in morning.
However in the afternoon, Mr Odinga marshalled a convoy of vehicles from his Capitol Hill office in Upper Hill and headed for the city centre. He was accompanied by throngs of supporters who were on foot.
Mr Odinga led the convoy that included vehicles carrying his Cord co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula and Senator Johnstone Muthama among other Opposition leaders.
The convoy eventually snaked its way to the city centre, but was being followed closely by anti-riot police.
On reaching the University Way, just meters from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) head office, police moved in and fired tear gas canisters at the convoy.
Police also used water cannon to disperse supporters who were on foot.
The vehicles carrying the Opposition leaders sped off using Koinange Street.
Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet had declared Cord’s planned protest to IEBC offices in the city centre as illegal.
There was a heavy presence of anti-riot police across the CBD from early morning. Businesses along Moi and Kenyatta Avenues experienced disruptions throughout the day with some remaining closed all day.
The University of Nairobi’s gate that is located along University Way remained closed for the better part of the day.
It was however business as usual at Anniversary Towers that houses the IEBC head office as workers went in and out under heavy police guard.
