Former Kakamega Senator Dr Boni Khalwale has condemned the police for trying to call off a meeting organised by Western Kenya leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto scheduled to take place on Saturday.
The former Ikolomani MP asserted that the police have no authority to curtail an individual's or group's freedom to hold a meeting, establish networks, articulate issues and give views on particular matters as stipulated by the constitution of Kenya.
"Police attempts to cancel our Western leaders' meeting in Mumias is diversionary and tantamount to incitement. They have NO powers to give or cancel a permit as they cannot take away the constitutional rights of Freedom of Assembly, Association & Speech," Khalwale wrote on his Facebook page.
Boni Khalwale, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, former Sports CS Rashid Echesa among other leaders allied to the Deputy President will hold an event on Saturday in Kakamega County.
A parallel Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) consultative meeting is scheduled to take place at Bukhungu stadium in Lurambi on the same day.
However, the decision taken by Khalwale and the company has irked Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
Malala and Atwoli have cautioned the team against holding a meeting similar to the one which will be held at Bukhungu Stadium.