Politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto may be in for a rude shock in their anticipated BBI rally at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru, after the county reportedly booked the facility for a county tournament on February 8, the same day that the rally had been scheduled.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a journalist from the area informed that the county government had booked the venue from February 7 to February 8, a move that will keep the Tangatanga faction at bay.
“The venue has been booked and this would mean that the Tangatanga faction either changes the venue or postpone to another day,” remarked our source.
According to the Nakuru Sports Youth and Gender CEC Lucy Kariuki, there are ongoing trials for the county teams that could be taking place on the set date.
However, the CEC did not confirm nor deny whether the coincidence would create an impossibility for the BBI rally.
“I am aware that there is an ongoing process for selecting a county team that will be representing Nakuru in the county games.
“Afraha Stadium specifically maximises on developing sports in Nakuru and political rallies are a secondary consideration. If the stadium is already booked, that means the games will have to continue,” remarked Kariuki.
In a story published by The Standard on Tuesday, January 28, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui stated he had not been officially informed of the intended BBI rally.
Kinyanjui also added that he was gearing up for the earlier scheduled BBI function sanctioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“I have only heard through the media that they will hold a rally at Afraha Stadium. They are welcome and as a county government, we shall facilitate their being at the facility. For us, our meetings shall go on as earlier scheduled,” remarked Kinyanjui as quoted by The Standard.
According to Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, who was appointed by President Kenyatta to front the BBI agenda in the Rift Valley, the parallel BBI meetings were unnecessary and only showed disrespect to the head of state.
“We were surprised when we saw the Tangatanga team announcing that their rally will take place in Nakuru on February 8, when we had scheduled the BBI meeting in the same county after consulting the president and former PM.
“We will be there (Nakuru) on February 23 and we are warning the Tangatanga wing not to interfere with our meetings. We will also not interfere with theirs,” remarked Tolgos as quoted by The Standard.
Tolgos also faulted the faction allied to Deputy President William Ruto, accusing the legislators of clearly planning against the ongoing campaign.
“The Tangatanga team had initially rubbished the BBI process, claiming it was meant to create positions. They have now realised that Kenyans are fully behind the process and they want to join. We now want them to respect us and respect our meetings.” added Tolgos.
