ANC leader Musalia, Wetang’ula cancel Mumias meeting
Douglas Dindi, Enock Amukhale and Hillary Mageka
Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula yesterday cancelled plans to hold a rally in Mumias to counter the Building Bridges Initiative meeting in Kakamega tomorrow.
Through his press secretary Kibisu Kabatesi, Mudavadi said they will not hold the rally after the police denied them a permit, citing security concerns.
The former Deputy Prime Minster also said he will not attend the BBI rally to be held at Bukhungu Stadium because it has not been organised by the BBI secretariat.
Ford Kenya issued a statement saying the Mumias rally had been cancelled.
“Following wide consultations, we have decided to put off the Mumias rally till further notice. Our supporters should remain patient until we inform them on the next course of action,” said party secretary general Eseli Simiyu.
Earlier, Majority Chief Whip Ben Washiali, who was one of the organisers of the meeting said they were trying to negotiate with the authorities to allow them hold the rally.
He dismissed the Bukhungu rally as partisan. “It is a sectarian and partisan gathering meant to cause divisions,” said Washiali who is an ally of Deputy President William Ruto.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala had threatened to “take action” against those planning the parallel rally.
“I will not allow a few political brokers to hold any parallel meeting in Kakamega county when Luhyas converge at Bukhungu to decide their fate on Building Bridges Initiative report,” he said after touring the venue of the meeting.
Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli dismissed the parallel rally, saying the Bukhungu meeting was a national event.
“The Luhya must be there in the BBI process. If there will be positions, we will be there and our interests must be protected. Millions of Luhyas will be attending the meeting,” he said.
