This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
Police Teargas DP Ruto's Allies in Vihiga ¶
On July 18, 2020, police in Vihiga County dispersed a meeting of politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto at Hamisi MP Charles Gimose's home, using teargas canisters.
According to eyewitnesses, the politicians arrived at the home as early as 7am and were met by police who had sealed off all routes leading to the Simbi home, located off the Kisumu-Kakamega highway.
Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who was among those present, claimed that the government was using force to stop DP Ruto's allies from holding public meetings.
He noted that while their meeting in Vihiga was being stopped, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, an ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, was meeting over 2,000 teachers in Kakamega without interruptions.
Dr. Khalwale further alleged that the government was bent on frustrating any meetings by politicians allied to the DP, and that they would not be deterred by the police action.
Hamisi divisional police commander Johana Chebii said he had asked Dr. Gimose to reschedule the meeting, but the politicians had refused.
Similar incidents had taken place in the county earlier, with police attempting to block a meeting of politicians in Emuhaya, which was attended by Governor Oparanya.
