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Nairobi on lockdown ahead of ‘banned’ Nasa demo


The Nairobi central business district was on a lockdown on Friday morning ahead of demonstrations by Nasa leaders and supporters.

Though a number of businesses were open in the mid-morning, police officers continued patrols along major streets of the town.

Uhuru Park grounds, which Nasa leaders had set aside as the meeting point ahead of the demos, remained cordoned off by police to allow military officers train ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations next  Friday.

The officers, dressed in anti-riot gears, equally sealed off the Anniversary Towers which houses the IEBC headquarters.

Anti-riot police officers and journalists at Anniversary Towers in anticipation of demonstrations called by Nasa for the removal of some IEBC officials. PHOTO | NAIROBI NEWS
Anti-riot police officers and journalists at Anniversary Towers in anticipation of demonstrations called by Nasa for the removal of some IEBC officials. PHOTO | NAIROBI NEWS

KEEP OFF CBD

However, ODM chairman and Suba MP John Mbadi told Nairobi News that the demonstrations would go on despite the CBD ban by acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

Mr Mbadi said Nasa does not recognize Matiang’i directive to keep off demonstrations from the CBD.

Anti-riot police officers guard Anniversary Towers in Nairobi in anticipation of protests  by Nasa supporters. PHOTO | NAIROBI NEWS
Anti-riot police officers guard Anniversary Towers in Nairobi in anticipation of protests by Nasa supporters. PHOTO | NAIROBI NEWS

He said they are prepared for anything; to liberate majority Kenyans from autocratic rule.

He said nothing stops them from exercising their rights to peaceful demonstrations.

He spoke as he prepared to lead Nasa affiliated MPs and their supporters to Anniversary Towers, the IEBC secretariat.