Kenyan opposition protest turns violent

By Andrew Ross

NAIROBI, Kenya( AA ) – Police clashed with demonstrators in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Monday as thousands called for the dissolution of the country’s electoral board.

The leader of the opposition, Raila Odinga, had last week instructed his supporters to turn up in large numbers for a peaceful demonstration against Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Odinga has accused the electoral body of working with President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Coalition to rig the August 2017 general election.

Anti-riot officers lobbed teargas canisters at the protesters while several in the crowd hurled stones at the police.

Several protesters were arrested by Kenyan police while others who were injured were rushed to hospital. Several shops were also looted.

Nairobi police chief Japheth Koome said: ”We were forced to act after they started looting and harassing members of the public.”

Monday protests in Kenya marked the third week of protests by the opposition in Kenya demanding for the electoral commission in Kenya to be dissolved.

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leader Raila Odinga has vowed that the protests will be held on Monday each week until the grievances against the electoral body are addressed.