A boda boda fundraiser that was scheduled to take place at Gusii stadium was allegedly cancelled in the last minute following claims of ‘planned’ disruption by youths allied to Orange Democratic Party.
The fundraiser understandably organised by Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi that was to be attended Deputy President William Ruto was supposed to be a setting stone for Jubilee to launch a series of campaigns following a meeting that Maangi earlier on held with Ruto and a delegation from the county in DP’s Sugoi home.
Speaking to the writer on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, a senior boda boda official confirmed security claims and said the postponing was done to save the DP from a possible humiliation.
“As the boda boda family, we collected enough information and found out that some youths allied to the opposition had planned to disrupt the meeting. We held a meeting and called off the fundraiser to a date to be communicated later. We want to avoid humiliation to senior leaders and possibly avoiding a repeat of what happened to Matiangi (Fred) sometimes back when reading the president’s speech,” he said.
However, a statement released by the deputy Governor refuted claims of planned hostility and linked the cancellation to an investment media outreach in which Joash Maangi and Governor James Ongwae had travelled to Nairobi for launching.
“I would wish to urge the members if the public to ignore the message circulating that our planned Harambee for boda boda operators was called because of planned disruption. I am part of the ODM party and I know our youths are disciplined. We called the Harambee off because of some other duties pertaining the planned investment summit for the county later on this coming February,” read the statement on Facebook page of the deputy governor.
Kisii OCPD Tom Mutisya would not be reached for comment since his phone went unanswered.