Police: Violence in Ruto's Kisumu Tour Linked to Campaign Money

Police lob teargas to disperse a rowdy crowd in Kondele, Kisumu County during DP William Ruto tour on November 10, 2021.
Police lob teargas to disperse a rowdy crowd in Kondele, Kisumu County during DP William Ruto tour on November 10, 2021.
Capital Group

Update 3:30 pm: The National Police Service has weighed in on the Kondele chaos that disrupted DP William Ruto's rally. Spokesperson Bruno Shioso stated that Ruto ignored their warning and disregarded intelligence reports which indicated that the crowd in Kondele would be hostile.

According to Shioso, police had gathered that there was tension between local political groups over funds that were released to the groups.

Ruto's security detail was informed of the situation and advised to cancel the Kondele visit but they ignored the directive.

Shioso stated that the chaos was as a result of two rival groups, who were throwing stones at each other over the campaign funds.


Chaos rocked Deputy President William Ruto's tour of Kisumu after a group of rowdy youth disrupted his meeting in the low-income area of Kondele on the outskirts of the city.

Police were forced to lob teargas to disperse the youth who had blocked the Deputy President's convoy at the Kondele Roundabout.

Ruto was forced to cut short his address and alter his plans after the youth started hurling stones at his convoy.

By the time of going to press, the magnitude of the chaos or damage had not been established as police were still carrying out preliminary investigations.

Police lob tear gas to disperse rowdy crowds in Kondele, Kisumu County on November 10, 2021
Police lob tear gas to disperse rowdy crowds in Kondele, Kisumu County on November 10, 2021
The Standard

The rowdy youth staged protests at the Kondele blocking Ruto from holding any political engagements in the area, a Raila Odinga's stronghold.

Ruto had earlier on received a heroic welcome when he made a stop over in Kisumu City's Central Business District on his way to Kondele.

Residents came out in large numbers to welcome the DP in his campaign tour of the lakeside city. Despite the calm in the earlier stopovers, heavy security was deployed in the area to mitigate any unprecedented outcomes.

In his speech, Ruto championed for his bottom-up economic model and urged residents to embrace it, saying it would help Kenyans with small business enterprises.

Additionally, he addressed leaders advocating for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), claiming they only thought of their well being rather than their countrymen.  

"I refused reggae and the BBI because we must get our priorities right. It cannot be that leaders tell the youth to campaign for the BBI so that more elective seats can be added to the Constitution.

"Do you want us to change the Constitution first or to change the economy? Reggae must wait," Ruto posed as the crowd cheered.

"Let them stop their pride saying 'nobody can stop reggae' because there is a God in heaven who has the ability to change everything," the DP continued.

He promised residents he would cater for their needs if he clinched the presidency seat come 2022.

"I came here today because I do not want Kisumu residents to be left behind when we are forming the next government next year," Ruto stated.

The DP started his three-day tour in the Nyanza region on Tuesday, November 9. He will tour the famous Kondele then head to Kisumu West constituency at Nyahera to meet small-scale traders and make donations.

He will wind up his tour at the Nyalunya Primary School in Kisumu East, before going to Homa Bay County on Thursday.

DP William Ruto addresses residents in Jua Kali, Kisumu County on November 10, 2021
DP William Ruto addresses residents in Jua Kali, Kisumu County on November 10, 2021
DPPS
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