Kisumu is set to be the battle ground of a political showdown over the weekend, as ODM and Jubilee fight over a venue for planned rallies.
According to reports, officials from both parties are claiming rights to host their rallies at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds this Saturday.
Jubilee officials in the county are claiming to have been granted permission first to use the venue, while Kisumu Central ODM leaders claim to have booked the venue way earlier.
Reports further indicate that a letter was written and signed by the Jubilee Party Nyanza region chairman, Odhiambo Liete, which sought permission to use the venue for the said rally.
Liete on Thursday confirmed that they had followed all the necessary procedures to use the grounds, including informing the police in order to ensure maximum security.
“I personally spoke to the grounds manager on Monday morning by phone, when I asked about the availability of the venue. He confirmed that nobody had booked the venue and that is when I asked him to reserve it for us,” said Liete.
This is not the first time such a scenario is playing out between the two political parties, with a similar occurrence panning out in Nairobi’s Mathare area two weeks ago.