Msambweni By-election: Police block Tangatanga campaing rally at Ukunda

 

 

Police in Kwale blocked Deputy President William Ruto allies from holding a meeting at Ukunda in Msambweni to campaign for Independent candidate Abdallah Bader ahead of the by-election.

Led by former senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Hassan Omar (Mombasa) and Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), the Police officers teargassed and disallowed access into Diani Reef hotel.

Police officers blocked roads heading to Ukunda Show Ground where the leaders had their rally to help Bader.

“We are Completely blocked from Diana Beach Hotel, the venue of today's Hustlers' delegates conference. Barricades, intimidation, delegates teargassed. ” Khalwale tweeted on Friday.

Khalwale pledged to manage Ruto allies in support of the Independent candidate set to battle with ODM candidate Omar Boga despite Jubilee not fielding a candidate.

Muthama blamed the police of rejecting their access into REEF hotel in Diani where they had retreated to have lunch.

“The Hustler Nation organisation in Mswambeni, we have been denied access to DIANI REEF hotel for lunch.”

The move comes after the National Security Advisory Committee on Wednesday banned public meetings without approval by local police authorities following the chaos witnessed at Kenol in Muranga County that left two people dead last weekend.

Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua cautioned against early campaigns blaming politicians of using the gatherings to influence millions of jobless youths.

Kinyua said all politicians planning to hold public gatherings to notify the Officer Commanding Station of the given area three days before the intended function.

Police officers on Thursday rained on DP William Ruto Nyamira fundraiser venue ahead of his visit making the DP postpone the fundraiser to another date.

The police scattered area residents who had then reached Kebirigo High School where the DP was presumed to lead the fundraising event for a Boda Boda Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation.

DP Ruto on September 24 went against Jubilee Party wish to withdraw from the Msambweni by-election race and lined Bader.

After Jubilee secretary general Raphael Tuju had announced the party would not be in the race, Ruto insisted he had wanted the ruling outfit to field a candidate.

The seat fell vacant after area MP Suleiman Dori died of cancer in March 2020.

Before his death, ODM accused Dori of supporting DP Ruto bid ahead of 2022 polls.