This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
On Saturday, June 20, 2020, police in Malava stopped a meeting convened by Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula at the home of Malava MP Malulu Injendi.
The meeting aimed to strategize on the political direction for the Luhya community ahead of the 2022 presidential poll.
Police officers lobbed teargas canisters to disperse a crowd at the MP's home, forcing several MPs, including former chief whip Benjamin Washiali, to gain access through alternative routes.
Western Region Police Commander Peris Kimani cited Covid-19 social distancing guidelines as the reason for stopping the meeting.
'I have given firm instructions to the county commanders in Vihiga and Kakamega to enforce the law and ensure the guidelines are observed by everybody. We will not allow the meeting to proceed,' Ms Kimani said.
Malulu Injendi vowed not to be intimidated by the police move, stating, 'We have made choices and we know choices have consequences. There is no turning back in our crusade to back a presidential candidate of our choice.'
Earlier that day, Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, an ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga, was forced to cut short his speech during Luanda MP Chris Omulele's burial.
Atandi had told off a section of Luhya leaders to stop dragging Odinga's name into the elusive Luhya unity talk, but was confronted by rowdy youth and later escorted out of the venue by police.
