Church leaders in Siaya county have condemned the use of excessive force to disperse Cord supporters during anti-IEBC protests on Monday.
Two residents were killed. Archbishop James Opiyo said the constitution allows peaceful protests. “It was wrong for police to use live bullets to disperse peaceful protestors,” he said.
Addressing the press at St Peter’s Cathedral in Siaya town after payers on Tuesday, the clerics termed the police action terrorism.
Opiyo said: “The government should not use its security agencies to terrorise citizens in broad daylight. This must be strongly condemned by all right-thinking Kenyans.”
He said the government has failed to justify police brutality since protests began a month ago. “Watching scenes of police beating and firing at innocent citizens on TV, one would think we are in Kosovo and in a police state,” Opiyo said.
He criticised the government for “refusing” to dialogue with the opposition to resolve the stalemate. “Politicians should desist from making inflammatory utterances that incite Kenyans,” Opiyo said. He said Kenya could turn into a dictatorship if electoral reforms are not made.