Ruto Ignored Intelligence From Police Warning Him To Cancel Kondele Rally

The National Police Service now says it was privy to information indicating plans to disrupt Deputy President William Ruto’s Wednesday tour of Kondele area in Kisumu.

Based on this intel, Police Spokesperson Bruno Isohi Shioso says the DP and his team were asked to skip the meeting. According to Shioso there was rising tension in the area owing to what authorities termed as disagreement over campaign logistical funds amongst local groups.

But, the DP who is on a three-day tour of the Nyanza region, according to the police spokesperson, went ahead with his planned tour.

“This intelligence was promptly shared by police with H.E the Deputy President’s team with a recommendation to skip the affected area during the tour,” read part of the statement by Shioso.

The DP was addressing residents when a section of the rowdy youths are said to have pelted his convoy with stones.

The DP had to cut short his speech as police engaged the youths in running battles, a situation that forced the officers to lob teargas canisters to disperse the groups.

Police said they moved swiftly to quell the chaos and provided security to the country’s second-in-command who left the scene unhurt.

“During the rally, violence erupted amongst the local agitated groups who engaged in stone-throwing and other unruly behavior. Police reacted promptly to contain the situation and provide security to H.E the Deputy President, his entourage, the public, and property, in the process, tear gas was discharged. The Deputy President safely left the scene,” explained the police.

Last month a similar incident happened in Western that saw five suspects arrested and charged.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i condemned the incident and directed the police to arrest any politician sponsoring violence against their opponents, saying the government will not condone politics of chaos ahead of the general election.

The DP who winds up his presidential campaigns in the region Thursday condemned the violence “The hustler nation disassociates with leaders and political groupings that use violence to advance their selfish cause” he said.

at the core of uda political strategy is to portray the Luo Nation as violent to engender Raila phobia in Kikuyu Nation … the clashes in Kondele are orchestrated in line with the strategy ….

The TRUTH: Luo Nationis the only tribe in Kenya that doesn’t kill intentionally. pic.twitter.com/TTmf4cEeN3

— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) November 10, 2021