Permits for two of the three meetings that were set to be held in Kakamega county on Saturday have been canceled.
Citing security reasons, the police have banned the political rally that was set for Nabongo Grounds in Mumias, which was set to be attended by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya boss Ford Kenya among others.
Similarly, the law enforcers have cancelled the permit for a farmers event that was set for Mumias Complex, leaving only the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) consultative forum set for Bukhungu Stadium on the same day.
This comes a day after the leaders behind the BBI event warned against the Nabongo function, terming it a plot to rival the BBI function, and warning that they will see to it that only one rally; the BBI forum, is held on that day.
“We have been following all those people organizing the Mumias meeting. We have their names and I can assure you, none of them will leave their homes,” said COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli on Wednesday.
Similar remarks were made by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who vowed to see to it that the Nabongo event fails. On his side, Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya urged locals to focus on the Bukhungu event.
"I’m calling upon all Western residents to turn-out in large numbers and attend Bukhungu rally, they will learn more about BBI which help make appropriate decisions,” said the governor, when they visited Bukhungu.
However, organizers of the Nabongo rally, led by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali have maintained that it will proceed as planned.