Raila calls off planned election day protests

Opposition chief Raila Odinga has instructed his supporters not to demonstrate tomorrow (October 26) even as they boycott the repeat presidential election.

Speaking at Uhuru Park on Wednesday afternoon, Odinga, who withdrew from the repeat poll, told NASA supporters to remain at home and not participate in the fresh election which he described as a sham.

“Do not participate in any way in the sham election. Convince your friends, neighbours and everyone else not to participate. Instead, we advise Kenyans who value democracy and justice to hold vigil and prayers away from polling stations,” he said.

He claimed that the opposition had received information that police intend to use deadly force on demonstrators who would take to the streets to protest against the fresh election.

Odinga said from Friday, October 27, they would “transform the NASA Coalition into a resistance movement”.

He added that NASA would “embark on a national campaign of defiance of illegitimate governmental authority and non-cooperation with all its organs.”

Meanwhile, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati has announced that the repeat presidential election will be held tomorrow as scheduled.

Speaking during a live address from the Bomas of Kenya, Chebukati said that the electoral commission has made the necessary preparations and will conduct the poll tomorrow.