Ruto postpones Nyamira fundraising event amidst chaos
There was heavy police presence ahead of the meeting on October 8, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Truckloads of police officers were sent in at the venue just a day after the government issued a raft of guidelines that must be complied with by anyone convening a public meeting.
The fundraising meeting which was scheduled to be held in Nyamira on Thursday was postponed amidst chaos.
Deputy President William Ruto, who was to attend the event, said the meeting was pushed to next week after consultations with local leaders.
Chaos rocked Kebirogo ground, the venue of the fundraising event, on Thursday morning as police officers moved in to disperse residents who were gathering for the meeting.
Truckloads of police officers were sent in at the venue just a day after the government issued a raft of guidelines that must be complied with by anyone convening a public meeting.
Police doing aerial surveillance in Nyamira Thursday morning.
The National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) on Wednesday told conveners of public gatherings to notify police three days in advance.
It means ward police chiefs have been given the authority to allow or deny conveners of such gatherings permission to hold the events.
“A convener or any person intending to hold a meeting shall notify the officer at a commanding station three days before the procession,” Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua said.
Additionally, conveners of the meetings will be required “to be present throughout the gathering or procession and shall assist the police in the maintenance of peace and order”.
The Jubilee administration has been facing a growing rebellion in its ranks as leaders allied to the Tangatanga and Kieleweke factions engage in a war of words.
Apart from an attempt to take control of the ruling party by DP Ruto, two people died in a confrontation between pro-Ruto and Mr Kenyatta supporters in Kenol, Murang’a county, on Sunday morning.
