Deputy President William Ruto has slammed the police for doing nothing to stop the violence witnessed during his rally in Kondele, Kisumu on Wednesday.
The National Police Service said intelligence gathered by security officers showed there was tension in Kondele ahead of Ruto’s visit as local groups fought over a share of cash handouts issued by the deputy president.
Police spokesman Bruno Shioso said Ruto was earlier warned against going to Kondele based on the intelligence but he ignored the advice.
In a rejoinder, Ruto’s Press Secretary David Mugonyi accused police of engaging in political mischief, saying they should have stopped the chaos.
He further stated that no handouts were issued before and during the rally, terming the statement by the police service as careless.
“The statement by the National Police Service, which carelessly profiles people in regrettable terms, underscores the fact that they had intelligence on the criminal conspiracy to perpetrate lawlessness in broad daylight, and ample opportunity to stop it and facilitate a peaceful event, but consciously opted to engage in political mischief instead,” Mugonyi’s statement read.
“At no point was there deployment of campaign finances as alleged by the police. The police should not play around with people’s lives or property. Just do your job.”
Seven vehicles that were part of Ruto’s convoy were destroyed during the melee that saw police fire teargas to disperse rowdy youths.
Ruto condemned the violence and blamed his political rivals for paying youth to cause mayhem.
