Update: Deputy President William Ruto attended a Cabinet meeting held by President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss the preparations for Mashujaa Day scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, in Kisii. His Communications Director Emmanuel Talaam confirmed.
South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro addressed the media in Nyamira County, stating that Ruto will hold his rally in the county, later on, after attending the State House meeting.
Police officers have dispersed Deputy President William Ruto's supporters at Kebirigo High School in Nyamira County, with reports indicating that the DP is set to cancel the event.
Ruto was set to meet boda boda riders in the area a day after the government introduced stringent measures for politicians holding rallies.
In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, October 8, police officers were seen ushering residents out of the event. They also removed tents and disarranged seats and ,later on, shot teargas at rowdy youth.
"Tutoke pole pole sisi wote. Tutoke nje. (Let us calmly move out of the venue)" a police officer who took over the public address system could be heard saying.
Reports had earlier on alleged that police officers had not been sent to the venue.
The meeting came at a time when President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to meet Gusii leaders at State House Nairobi to discuss preparations for Mashujaa Day slated for Tuesday, October 20, in Kisii. Some leaders, however, have reportedly been locked out of the meeting due to their dalliance with Ruto.
ODM leader Raila Odinga is also expected to travel to Kisii County on Friday, October 9, to attend the burial of the father of former KTN News investigative reporter Dennis Onsarigo
On Wednesday, October 7, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua declared that all political meetings would only be held in strict compliance of section 5 of the public order act, cap. 56.
An areas OCS is supposed to be informed of the intent to hold a political meeting at least three days, but not more than fourteen days before the proposed date of the public meeting or procession.
Also, any person who intended to participate in the public meeting would be required to exercise a high sense of civic duty and responsibility and not to be in possession of any weapon.
The directives were made after clashes were witnessed ahead of DP Ruto’s event in Murang'a County.
Watch police disperse DP William Ruto supporters
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