A rally that had been planned by the United Democratic Movement (UDA) on Sunday, January 16 in Kitale, Trans Nzoia, was called off at the last minute.
According to multiple media reports, four MPs who are allies of Deputy President Wiliam Ruto, were blocked from accessing the venue because they did not have a permit.
Theorganisers of the public gathering were Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Alice Wahome (Kandara) and Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati).
Kwanza Sub County Police Commander James Odero explained that the four legislators had not notified them of their intention to use the venue, adding that he had explained to them why they were turned away.
"I have talked to them and they have agreed to notify us in the future," Odero stated.
However, the MPs read mischief in the incident and accused former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya of issuing orders to bar them from holding a peaceful meeting.
"We are told Natembeya has called Ojwang' and issued orders to prevent us from holding our meeting. This is an express violation of freedom of association as guaranteed by the bill of rights in our Constitution," Wahome lamented.
The Kandara MP stated that government is determined to stifle democracy and abuse human rights which will take the country back to dictatorial regimes.
On his part, Gachagua stated that blocking them from holding their meeting was part of a scheme to frustrate the DP's campaigns.
"Using police will not make Raila the President, it has been tried before but it failed. It is very unfortunate that the government is using police to force a project by the name Raila Odinga to the people of Kenya," he explained.
Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri and his Naivasha counterpart Jane Kihara asked the government not to abuse its power by using the state machinery to settle political scores.
