Raila Cancels Kamukunji Rally, Citing Presence Of Hired Goons

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has canceled a rally that was set to happen at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi after receiving intelligence that the police planned to use live bullets during the rally.

Odinga said that some of his staff were deployed to set up the stage at the Kamukunji grounds on Wednesday morning and were attacked by the police. He also said that some of his workers were arrested on the grounds.

“Yesterday night, we received intelligence of a very heinous plan by Kenyan Kwanza to ferry goons who would attack peaceful attendees of our rally in Kamukunji,” Odinga said. “These goons had express order to shoot directly to the crowd while enjoying police protection.”

ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also blamed the police for interrupting preparations for the Kamukunji rally.

“Absolute madness from Police to disperse a peaceful assembly at Kamukunji,” Sifuna said in a tweet. “We have held dozens of rallies here and they have always been peaceful. What is the justification for this?”

The cancellation of the rally comes amid heightened political tensions in Kenya ahead of the August 9 general election. Odinga is the main opposition candidate in the election, and his supporters have been holding rallies across the country in recent months.

The police have frequently been accused of using excessive force to disperse opposition rallies. In February, Odinga was tear-gassed and arrested at a rally in Nairobi.

The cancellation of the Kamukunji rally is a major setback for Odinga’s campaign. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to hold any more rallies in the lead-up to the election.