‘Murang’a meeting will be peaceful’ – Raila says after police ban, invites residents

Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday, April 19 said town hall meeting planned for Thursday, April 20 in Murang’a County will be peaceful and will be strictly conducted in accordance with the law.

In a press statement, Raila invited the area residents to attend the meeting.

“Like all engagements that the party has held in recent months, the Muranga meeting will be peaceful and strictly within the law.

“We invite residents to turn up in large numbers and freely engage on issues affecting them. I personally look forward to this engagement,” he said.

He further stated that the coalition is planning similar engagement in different parts of the country over the next couple of weeks.

Murang’a police commander David Mathiu rejected Azimio’s request to hold the meeting, saying that police are already deployed elsewhere.

Mathiu said he needed an earlier notification in order to prepare adding that a notice needs to have been submitted four days before, and Azimio presented it on Tuesday, two days before their planned meeting.

Raila, Karua to attend meeting

Former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria said the meeting will be purely an engagement forum between the leaders and the locals.

Speaking after the event cancelation, Wa Iria said the town hall meeting will proceed, and will be graced by Azimio leaders including Raila, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Martha Karua.

“The meeting is on. I want to tell police officers that we were not seeking permission. According to the constitution, we are not supposed to seek permission from police,” he said.