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Saturday, August 26, 2017

Police don't have power to reject NASA prayers request - Oduor Ong'wen

No law gives police powers to approve or reject notices for public gatherings, ODM executive director Oduor Ong'wen has said.

Ong'wen said on Saturday that it is "incomprehensible" for police to outlaw a prayer meeting NASA was to have on Sunday.

On Friday, Nairobi police commander Japheth Koome said he will not allow the Opposition coalition to hold a vigil at the Supreme Court ahead of petition hearings.

More on this: Koome rejects NASA request to hold Sunday vigil at Supreme Court

In a statement, the ODM official said: "We hope this is fake news". It is even more incomprehensible. As a party and NASA coalition, we shall be faithful to the law but defy illegal edicts."

Ong'wen said police can only advise on security challenges and discuss how to deal with them with organisers.

"We cannot allow dark forces to roll back democratic gains Kenyans have fought and won in the last 25 years. We shall resist this creeping dictatorship."

Noting Sunday is the day of worship, the executive director added the public cannot be restricted.

"ODM assures all Kenyans that it is their inalienable right to worship in mosques, churches, temples, shrines and open spaces, for this country and society, so that justice may be our shield and defender," he said.

On Friday, NASA wrote to Koome saying they intend to hold a peaceful assembly at the premises from 10am to 6pm.

"This letter should act as a notification for the assembly and also to request you to provide security," read the letter from campaign manager Willis Otieno.

NASA allied MPs-elect also intend to hold vigils across the country on Sunday as the Supreme Court prepares to hear Raila Odinga's petition.

The Supreme Court will hold a pre-trial conference on Saturday at 7pm.

President Uhuru Kenyatta filed his defence on Thursday night and defended his re-election.

More on this: [STATEMENT] NASA giving Supreme Court second chance, Raila says on election

Read: Uhuru is still your president, Duale tells NASA on MPs' swearing-in


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