Confusion Over Ruto's Rally After Contigent of Police Spotted at Jacaranda

A contingent of police officers spotted at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.
A contingent of police officers was spotted at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.
Facebook
Dennis Itumbi

UPDATE Sunday, June 19: Police have closed off Jacaranda Grounds to avoid a clash between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza supporters that has been simmering.

Politicians from both factions had claimed to have booked the venue leading to a double-booking forcing the police to intervene.

DP William Ruto, however, insists that he will head to the venue for a rally after church.


There is confusion as to whether Deputy President William Ruto's rally at the Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi will take place on Sunday, June 19.

In a statement, the DP affirmed that the planned mega rally in Embakasi East was still on, with reports that police had sealed off the venue.

"The Kenya Kwanza fraternity and the entire hustler nation wishes a blessed Sunday to all na tukutane (and let's meet at) Jacaranda after church," stated the DP.

The confusion began on the night of Saturday, June 18 when Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who is affiliated with Azimio la Umoja, announced that his event had been canceled. Owino had also booked the venue for his own function.

Deputy President William Ruto (left), ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi (center) and Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja at Bomas of Kenya.
Deputy President William Ruto (left), ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi (centre) and Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja at Bomas of Kenya on January 23, 2022
Twitter
ANC

"We have decided to cancel tomorrow's rally scheduled at Jacaranda Grounds. People should go about their normal business," he announced.

Later, he acknowledged that he had given up the venue due to his love for peace.

"I had booked Jacaranda Grounds for my function today and notified the police while Ruto booked the same venue on the same day... I have full rights to use this ground today but let my People stay at home coz we love peace," he explained.

Ruto's Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi, on Sunday morning, shared a photo showing that a contingent of police officers had been deployed to the venue as early as 4:00 a.m.

Itumbi revealed that the officers had initially disrupted Kenya Kwanza's plan to set up a stage to facilitate its speakers. 

"At 4 a.m., the losing team of Deep State and System that is helping Azimio with campaigns decided to use guns, Force and (chest).

"They stopped the construction of our Stage at Jacaranda Grounds. Why? Because Sakaja cannot be Governor and William Ruto should not be President," he lamented.

The presence of police officers also rubbed Kenya Kwanza leaders the wrong way, with some arguing that it was a loss of public funds.

"Misuse of security organs is a threat to every nation on this planet. Let's not keep quiet as some individuals are working hard to curtail our set freedoms of association - It's our constitutional right," stated Waruguru.

Below is the video:

{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/fhLm-o9v4Gs.jpg?itok=_hWXB8zg","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}

  • .