Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been blocked from using the Kasarani Gymnasium for his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) launch, which was scheduled to take place on June 4.
Sports Kenya Director-General Gabriel Komora, in a letter dated May 26, blocked Gachagua and his team from holding their party launch at the gymnasium because sports teams had already booked the arena.
Komora also informed Gachagua and his team that they could not make any further bookings, as the venue would be used to host the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025.
“We regret to inform you that the venue will not be available due to prior bookings by sports teams. We are also not taking further bookings due to preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN)," Komora told DCP members.
"Kindly consider looking for an alternative venue. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and we take this opportunity to thank you for your request to utilise the facility," he added.
Reacting to the cancellation of their booking, Gachagua's DCP party termed the incident unfortunate, claiming that the cancellation was politically motivated.
According to DCP, on May 20, the party wrote to the management of the Kasarani Gymnasium and requested to book the venue for the launch of the party on June 4.
On May 21, Sports Kenya informed the party that the venue was available, and the management of the sports complex even approved their booking of the venue for the party launch.
DCP further disclosed that it paid Ksh3.7 million for the venue, and an invoice was issued to the party leadership confirming that it had indeed made the payment.
Commenting on the matter, the DCP termed the indefinite venue cancellation by Sports Kenya as an affront to democracy and accused President William Ruto's administration of attempting to unwarrantedly block the party launch.
"The Kasarani Gymnasium Facility, Indoor Arena Auditorium, is a public facility which every Kenyan has a right to access and utilise for the public good," read part of a statement by the DCP.
Following Sports Kenya's decision to cancel Gachagua's DCP launch booking, the party is expected to provide a way forward for its supporters who have since been left in limbo.
