A looming stand-off has seen the deployment of the Anti-riot police to intervene any impending chaos at Jacaranda grounds in Nairobi by blocking both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja factions from holding rallies.
It is understood both parties had booked the ground for afternoon rallies on Sunday, June 19, a scenario likely to cause ruckus and upheaval.
“The Kenya Kwanza fraternity and the entire hustler nation wishes a blessed Sunday to all na tukutane Jacaranda after church,” DP Ruto said in a tweet to his supporters earlier on.
Police officers have been deployed and both rallies were canceled to avoid possible chaos.
“I write to inform you that I will be having a function at the Jacaranda grounds this coming Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. I have been mobilizing members of the public to attend the event through social media and I have information that an opportunistic outfit allied to Tanga Tanga leader Ruto is also claiming that they want to hold a political event at the same venue on the same date and time,” said Owino in his letter to the Embakasi police boss.
Showing his letter that proves an earlier booking of the venue on June 15.
A double booking situation has not only raised questions but also signified a looming clash between the rival coalitions in Nairobi County
According to ODM Party secretary general Edwin Sifuna, he insists that they had planned the rally but the police claim there was a double booking attributing to the canceled events.
At the same time, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Embakasi East parliamentary candidate Francis Mureithi went on dismissing Babu’s claims of having booked the event despite the production of a letter dated June 15, by Owino.
“I booked the venue myself and got the clearance to host the rally from the authorities. Babu Owino wrote the letter to book the event after learning we had booked it to seek unnecessary attention. We have already set up the tent and everything for the venue,”Mureithi said.
