A parallel BBI rally organized by Deputy President William Ruto’s allies has been cancelled by police. The meeting was organized to a similar meeting which will be held in Bukhugu stadium in Kakamega led by ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga.
The meeting which was supposed to be held in Mumias was organized by former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Rashid Echesa who are well known loyal supporters of William Ruto.
The Government through the OCS Mumias Police Station Albert Chebii issued a letter to some leaders in Western Kenya cancelling, the permit citing a possibility of violence.
The leaders had been granted a permit to conduct five different processions from the five sub- counties that neighbor Mumias Sugar Company to protest over its collapse.
“This is to notify you that this office has cancelled your permit to carry out the exercise… You are advised to inform your participants of the changes and comply accordingly. Any person that this directive will be held criminally responsible,” Chebii stated in the letter.
However Khalwale and Echesa reacted to the cancellation. Echesa vowed that the meeting will continue as planned as they already have the granted permit adding the cancellation is against the law.
Khalwale on the other hand challenged the cancellation saying police have no powers to give or cancel a permit assuring that the meeting is still on.
“They have no powers to give or cancel a permit as they cannot take away the constitutional rights of freedom of assembly association and speech.”
Earlier today COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Kakamega Senator Cleophas malala while touring Bukhugu stadium in preparation for the BBI rally vowed that they will not allow the Khalwale- Echesa meeting which is only meant to discredit President Uhuru Kenyatta.
