Chaos rocked Deputy President William Ruto’s Wednesday tour of Kondele Ward in Kisumu Central Sub-County.
The DP was on the second day of his tour of the Nyanza region to campaign for his presidential bid when a section of rowdy youths pelted his convoy with stones.
He was addressing residents when a section of the youth started chanting pro-ODM leader Raila Odinga slogans.
The DP was forced to cut short his speech as police engaged the youths in running battles. The situation was contained.
The National Police Service now said it was privy to information indicating plans to disrupt Deputy President William Ruto’s Wednesday tour of Kondele area in Kisumu.
Based on this intel, Police Spokesperson Bruno Isohi Shioso says the DP and his team were asked to skip the meeting.
According to Shioso there was rising tension in the area owing to what authorities termed as disagreement over campaign logistical funds amongst local groups.
But, the DP who is on a three-day tour of the Nyanza region, according to the police spokesperson, went ahead with his planned tour.
“This intelligence was promptly shared by police with H.E the Deputy President’s team with a recommendation to skip the affected area during the tour,” read part of the statement by Shioso.
Police said they moved swiftly to quell the chaos and provided security to the country’s second-in-command who left the scene unhurt.
“During the rally, violence erupted amongst the local agitated groups who engaged in stone-throwing and other unruly behavior. Police reacted promptly to contain the situation and provide security to H.E the Deputy President, his entourage, the public, and property, in the process, tear gas was discharged. The Deputy President safely left the scene,” explained the police.
Last month a similar incident happened in Western that saw five suspects arrested and charged.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i condemned the incident and directed the police to arrest any politician sponsoring violence against their opponents, saying the government will not condone politics of chaos ahead of the general election.
The DP who winds up his presidential campaigns in the region Thursday condemned the violence “The hustler nation disassociates with leaders and political groupings that use violence to advance their selfish cause” he said.
