The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) might not hold demonstrations against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) next Monday.
Members of Parliament affiliated to the Jubilee Coalition moved to court on Friday seeking orders to punish and block CORD principals from conducting violent protests.
The legislators stated that CORD leaders had disobeyed a court order issued on April 29 that barred them from conducting violent protests.
The MPs who were represented by lawyer Harisson Kianjui included: Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu), Dennis Waweru (Dagoretti South) and Alice Ngang'a (Thika Town).
The matter was certified urgent and will be heard in court on Monday before Justice Isaac Lenaola, with CORD chiefs Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula expected to be present.
“The court had barred the opposition from marching to the IEBC offices, but they failed to obey that order. The gravity of the contempt is so heavy that imposition of a custodial sentence is necessary for public protection,” said Kinanjui.
On the other hand, the Opposition's lawyer James Orengo had initially stated that the orders amounted to nothing because the constitution stated how Kenyans should exercise their right of assembly and picketing.
Meanwhile, the CORD leadership has vowed to continue demonstrating continue until the electoral body is disbanded and the commissioners sent home.
Last week, the anti-IEBC protests in Nairobi turned chaotic, attracting the attention of international media. Several people were injured as police used force to disperse the crowd.
