Drama ensued Sunday January 16 in Kitale Town as Deputy President William Ruto’s allies were dispersed by police as they attempted to hold meetings.
MPs Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Alice Wahome (Kandara) and Jayne Kihara (Naivasha) has earlier attended a church service at PCEA church at Section 6 area in Kitale town before proceeding to Ndura Nature Park where they had planned a meeting with the Kikuyu community living in Trans Nzoia.
The meeting was not to be as anti-riot police arrived and called it off before it could even kick off.
The owner of the premise where the meeting was to be held, Mzee Ndura told Newszetu that there was a communication breakdown between the conveners of the meeting and the police.
“From what we hear, the conveners had not issued a notice to the police in good time, that’s why the meeting was disrupted,” he said.
The frustrated parliamentarians headed to Bridgestone Hotel in Kibomet to continue with their meeting only to find the police had already barricaded entrance of the hotel.
The MPs were attending a meeting organized by Kikuyu from diaspora to discuss development agenda and ahead of the of 2022 general elections.
Speaking outside the hotel flanked by their followers, the leaders said they were only meeting their supporters to give a message of peace ahead of the August 9 elections.
The leaders accused the government of plans to stifle democracy and freedom of association and expression during campaigns.
“The government should stop undermining Kenyans’ will. We will end all these shenanigans at the ballot in August,” said Wahome.
Mr Gachagua accused Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and former Rift Valley Commissioner George Natembeya for their tribulations.
“The government can us police to undermine us but they will not be there at the ballot. Kenyans have already decided who they will vote as their president,” said Gachagua.
He added that Mr Natembeya still gives orders to Police and provincial administration in the region adding that he is still working at the Office of the President.
They leaders accused government of using public resources to undermine leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto ahead of August General Elections.
However, Kwanza Sub County Police Commander James Ordera said the team did not have police permit for the meeting.
“We have no problem with any political gathering but let parties ensure permit for security,” he said.
He said police were only there to enforce the law.
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