Kenya bans protests amid mounting political turmoil

The mounting political turmoil in the East African country of Kenya has forced authorities to ban protests in central Nairobi and other hotspots as the re-scheduled political re-run fast approaches.

Reports say the order also covered the opposition stronghold of Kisumu and the port of Mombasa – the scenes of repeated demonstrations since the Supreme Court annulled the last vote in August, citing irregularities.

However, the opposition plans to go ahead with protests despite the ban declaring that demonstrations will be staged on Friday, and on a daily basis from Monday next week.

“The protests are covered by the bill of rights in the constitution. We do not hold the protests as a favour by the State,” Dennis Onyango, the spokesman for opposition leader Raila Odinga, said.

Violent protests erupted moments after several changes over a new election law were approved by parliament – dominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ruling Jubilee party.

According to reports, police in Kenya fired teargas at angry opposition supporters who are unhappy at a new election law which says if one candidate withdraws, the other automatically wins the presidency- meaning a walk over victory for Kenyatta, in the re-run of the election later this month.

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