[PHOTOS] Heavy Anti-Riot Police Deployed in Mumias

Heavy anti-riot police have been deployed at Nabongo grounds in Mumias town, the venue of the cancelled anti-BBI meeting.

The General Service Unit (GSU) officers are in the town to tame anti-BBI leaders and their supporters from holding a parallel meeting at the Nabongo Sports Ground.

The police had on Thursday, January 16, cancelled the parallel meeting organized by DP Ruto allies to counter the BBI Campaign rally at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega town.

In a letter to the organisers, Mumias Police Station Commanding Officer, Albert Chebii, cancelled the rally citing security reasons.

“You are advised to inform your participants of the changes and comply accordingly. Any person contravening this directive will be held criminally responsible,” Mr Chebii said.

However, Tanga Tanga leaders led by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale vowed to go on with their meeting on as planned.

“We will not be intimidated by the heavy presence of police officers in the town. We want to address the issues affecting our people. We want to find a way forward to the ailing economy of the western region, the meeting will go on as planned,” Washiali said on Thursday.

But Western Region Deputy Police Commander Leonard Omolo warned that any plans by anti-BBI leaders to hold the rally would be met by the full force of the law.

 

“We cannot have two meetings, one in Kakamega and another in Mumias. We have deployed our officers to provide security at Bukhungu Stadium,” said Mr Omolo.

Security is also tight at Bukhungu Stadium, where ODM leader Raila Odinga is expected to lead the rally.

People started trooping into the stadium as early as 6 am.

Orange Democratic Movement party Communication Director Philip Etale said on Friday that a total of 27 Governors, and 120 legislators will attend the rally.

The latest reports indicate that ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford-Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula are expected to attend the Bukhungu rally.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *