Why Raila's Uhuru Park rally could be cancelled

juma chrispinus

October 25, 2017 9:18 AM

Raila is set to make a major announcement to his supporters, even as the Supreme Court rule on the way forward.

The highly anticipated Opposition rally at Uhuru Park in Nairobi hangs in the balance after the new announcement by the Inspector General of police Mr Joseph Boinnett.

Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga who was set for a major announcement to his supporters in regard to Thursday’s elections, may be forced to change his strategy the last minute after Mr Boinnett’s order.

READ: Matiang'i's surprise move for Kisumu ahead of polls

Mr Boinnett on Wednesday morning issued a stern warning to politicians planning to have public gatherings, arguing that such meetings would be illegal, and in contravention of the Public Order Act, which he snipped on Twitter.

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“No person shall hold a public meeting or a public procession except in accordance with the provisions of this section,” he said.

He added: “We are set and ready to offer Policing Services for the remaining segment in the national elections calendar.”

The new announcement comes as surprise to the Nasa allied lawmakers who were expected to have a major rally at Uhuru Park ahead of Mr Odinga’s announcement.

Mr Odinga had earlier told his supporters to hold massive demonstrations on Thursday but would later change his tune after a grilling interview with the BBC Africa.

In the Tuesday interview, Mr Odinga distanced himself from calling on his supporters to throng streets in demonstrations and instead urged them to stay at home and instructed them not to participate in the elections.

“We have not told people to demonstrate on the day of the poll, we have not said that at all, we have told them to stay away,” Mr Odinga stated.

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