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Remain calm, Kidero tells Nasa supporters


Outgoing Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero has called on city residents to maintain peace and be tolerant as leaders try to find solution to the current impasse after the General Election.

Addressing the media at ACK St Mark’s church in Westlands on Sunday, Dr Kidero urged supporters of the National Super Alliance (Nasa) to stop being confrontational with the police but instead express their displeasure with the outcome of the August 8 polls in a tolerable manner.

“I am urging Nairobi residents more particularly in Kibra, Kangemi, Kawangware, Dandora, Kariobangi North and South and Mathare to be tolerant and stop throwing stones at the police. Once we die we are the ones who are going to transport each other to where we are going to be buried,” said Dr Kidero.

At the same time, Governor Kidero also called on the government and the police not to use excessive force while dealing with the demonstrators while also urging political leaders and community leaders to desist from inflammatory statements that could add fuel to the already delicate situation.

EXCESSIVE FORCE

“Police should not use excessive force and I would also like to urge the government to act with tolerance and follow the law as provided. We have been speaking to community leaders telling them that they do not need to react.

“I would like to urge our leaders not to say inflammatory statements that will make people react in a manner not good for their lives,” he added.

He said that Nasa leaders were exploring different avenues provided for in the Judicial and Constitutional systems to find an amicable solution to the current issue.

“Our leaders are doing what they can as provided for in our Judicial and Constitutional systems to address the issue. So let us be calm and give the leaders time,” said Kidero.

DEMONSTRATORS

Meanwhile, Dr Kidero said that he had also reached out to both the Inspector General Joseph Boinnet and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho on police brutality on demonstrators asking them to rein on the police and stop them from using live ammunition, saying the meeting has had a positive outcome.

“I did speak to the Inspector General and the Interior Principal Secretary yesterday and I requested them that the presence of the police in a menacing manner provokes the residents. I am glad that they heard my plea and they retreated yesterday and from the time we have not seen the fights like we had seen before,” he said.

He asked the security apparatus in the country to follow the rule of law in carrying out their operations at this critical time where there is a section which is jubilating and the other which is in mourning.

“If you are hurt, you need to be allowed to express how hurt you are and if you are happy you also need to be given time to express the happiness. Expression of sadness or happiness should not be a provocation to be beaten and shot at with live bullets,” Dr Kidero said.