UDA decries harassment by police after its meeting was disrupted over permit in Meru
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, associated with Deputy President William Ruto, has condemned the police after its meeting was interrupted in Meru.
In a press statement released by the party secretary general Veronica Maina, the party has accused the police of causing mayhem in a meeting that was peaceful and meant to discuss party matters.
According to Maina, the assistant county commissioner and officer commanding police station, who she did not mention by names, raided a hotel where they were and brought their meeting to a halt.
“Police, totally unprovoked, invaded a meeting bringing together aspirants from eight counties convened by the party secretariat and lobbed teargas as well as live bullets,” said Maina in the statement.
“They did not care about the wellbeing of people, particularly those living with disabilities who had attended the meeting,” she added.
Maina says the Monday’s incident is a continuation of attacks aimed at UDA party officials and their supporters as witnessed in the recently concluded by-elections.
“Today’s action is part of a continuing trend by the police to harass UDA and its supporters as witnessed recently during the by-elections in Bonchari constituency and Rurii ward, Nyandura, we strongly condemn the unlawful disruption of a regular UDA meeting,” she said.
UDA now asks the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to desist from unwarranted use of force adding that he will be held accountable for any unlawful act at the National Police Service.
The Meru meeting is similar to those held in Nairobi, Vihiga, Eldoret and Nakuru where aspiring leaders who would wish to fly UDA ticket in the 2022 General Elections deliberated with the party officials on modalities of strengthening the party.
Earlier on Monday, police dispersed a gathering of UDA officials with aspirants drawn from 8 regions in the larger Mt Kenya region.
According to media reports, the meeting was called off after police said the party had not acquired a permit for the event.
Maina was present by the time police stormed the venue.
“What is the meeting for? Do you have a permit from the police? What you are doing here is wrong. Do you have a permit?” police officer is heard posing in video footage going viral on the social media.
The police also cited a breach of health protocols which has barred public gatherings, a move aimed at arresting the spread of Covid-19.
