Deputy President William Ruto allies were on Sunday, January 16 block by police from holding a meeting in Kitale town, Trans Nzoia County.
The four UDA MPs, Rigathi Gachagua, Jane Kihara, Alice Wahome, and Kimani Ngunjri were had planned to hold a meeting with the Kikuyu community leaders in Trans Nzoia.
Kwanza Sub County Police Commander James Odero said the UDA MPs did not have a permit for the said meeting hence could not be allowed to hold the meeting.
“These leaders did not notify us that they were going to have a meeting and that is why their meeting aborted. I have talked to them and they have agreed to notify us in the future,” Odero said.
Speaking to the press the leaders accused the government of police officers to suppress their political freedom terming it outdated.
The enraged politicians lashed out at former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner, George Natembaya, and Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa for their tribulations.
“We are told Natembeya and this county commissioner I’m told he’s called Ojwang’ issued orders to prevent us from holding our meeting. This is an express violation of freedom of association as guaranteed by the bill of rights in our Constitution,” Alice Wahome said.
An agitated Gachagua accused the government of using underdog means to reduce Deputy President William Ruto’s influence in the country ahead of the forthcoming General Election.
“Using police will not make Raila the President, it has been tried before but failed. It is very unfortunate that the government is using police to force a project by the name of Raila Odinga to the people of Kenya,” said Gachagua.
Gachagua noted said that neither police nor teargas will be on the ballot and that people already know whom they will vote for.
Kimani Ngunjiri termed the move by the police as an abuse of power by the state agencies being manipulated by some individuals for personal political gain.
