Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has been denied access to Kakamega’s Muliro Gardens where he had planned to launch his presidential bid on Saturday.
It is reported that County Askaris manning the Gardens blocked a truck ferrying sound equipment and tents into the venue in preparation for the event.
The Kakamega County administration indicated that Wetangula would not host his function at the Gardens, stating that the park which was recently renovated, would only be used for recreation activities.
The County stated that it would refund a fee of Sh100,000 paid by Wetangula and offered him Muslim Primary School grounds as an alternative venue.
Ford-Kenya leaders and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale stormed the gardens on Friday to protest the move by the County Government.
“We paid Sh100, 000 for the venue. If governor (Wycliffe) Oparanya has another function at Muslim Primary school tomorrow (Saturday), he is free to hold it,” Khalwale was quoted by the Nation.
They noted that it was significant for them to launch the Wetangula's presidential bid at the Muliro Gardens because it was an important landmark among the Luhyas.
“Muliro Gardens is of historical significance to the Luhya nation and we are not prepared to move the launch to another venue,” Barasa Makokha, the Ford Kenya national youth leader stated.
