'Yes' locks 'No' out of Nairobi

The 'No' team against the Proposed Constitution may not hold a final rally in Nairobi after the 'Yes' camp booked all major venues in the city in the final lap to the August 4 referendum.

In politics, it seems, lightning strikes the same place twice. The current scenario is a reversal of roles for several politicians in the ‘No’ camp who served the old Kanu government, and face the same dirty trickery the former ruling party used to deny opponents political mileage in the final round of campaigns.

Using the tricks that were perfected during President Kibaki’s 2007 campaigns, the ‘Yes’ team even booked the treasured Uhuru Park for two consecutive days.

The alternative for the ‘No’ side, if Uhuru Park proves unavailable, would be Nyayo National Stadium, which enjoys the same expanse for displaying numbers in photographic sense, political stature and premium, as well as centrality in town.

Unfortunately, the stadium will be hosting the 17th African Athletics Championships.

The ‘No’ team led by Higher Education Minister William Ruto had last week said his camp, bolstered by high-ranking Christian clerics, including 10 top televangelists — would opt for the stadium if Uhuru Park was unavailable.

Now it turns out that ‘Yes’ team booked Uhuru Park for the last two days of campaigns, August 1-2.

Tuesday will be a ‘no-campaign’ day, and State regulations require rally organisers to inform security of planned meetings three days to the actual day — which means time might not even be in the ‘Reds’ favour to give notice for Saturday, for example, and organise the kind of rally that would send a strong political message by way of good attendance.

A disenchanted Ruto demanded that ‘No’ be allowed to hold a meeting at Uhuru Park on Sunday, because they had booked the venue.

"If they think they have the numbers as they claim, let them allow us to use one venue, so that Kenyans can see who has the numbers instead of playing monkey games," said Ruto.

Police last evening confirmed the ‘Yes’ team had booked all rally venues in Nairobi for the last two days of the referendum campaigns.

This effectively locks out the ‘Reds’ from holding rallies at major grounds like Uhuru Park, City Stadium and the historic Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi next Sunday and Monday.

The two sides had been expected to display their might of numbers at rallies in last 48 hours of referendum campaigns in Nairobi, but the ‘Yes’ side employed the cunningness seen in the battle for city venues between 1991 and 1997.

"I’m aware the ‘Yes’ team has booked Kamukunji Grounds, Uhuru Park and the City Stadium on Sunday August 1 and Monday August 2," said Central deputy police chief Thomas Atuti.

The referendum campaign period ends on Monday, August 2, to allow Kenyans a day’s rest before voting on Wednesday.

The ‘Yes’ team has been cleared to hold a prayer meeting at Uhuru Park on Sunday, followed by what is described as "the grand finale rally" beginning Monday at the same venue.

On the same dates, the ‘Yes’ team has been cleared to hold rallies at Kamukunji Grounds to the East of Nairobi.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga will address the ‘Yes’ team rallies.

The ‘No’ secretariat fumed at being locked out of all venues in Kenya’s capital during the crucial period of the campaigns.

Yesterday, the ‘No’ team said it had applied for a permit to hold rallies at the same venues on the same dates.

"We applied to hold a rally at Uhuru Park and Kamukunji Grounds on August 1, and it will be wrong for the police and the Nairobi City Council to clear only one side of the campaign," said ‘No’ Secretariat Director Dr Tom Namwamba.

He demanded they be allowed to hold their rallies at either of the two venues. "If they refuse, we will then ask our supporters to show up at one of the venues," he threatened.

This would be a worrying scenario, as chances of confrontation between supporters from both sides cannot be ruled out.

Dr Namwamba said the ‘Red’s’ top leadership would meet to decide which venue to hold their rally, "with or without permission."

It was not immediately clear which other venues the ‘Reds’ were eyeing in the city.

Police and City Council of Nairobi officials confirmed the ‘Yes’ team had booked nearly all of the key public grounds in the city on Sunday and Monday.

At the ‘Yes’ Secretariat, Co-convener Janet Ong’era, said they were set for the rallies.

Interestingly, the ‘Yes’ team also booked Nyayo National Stadium, which could be an alternative for the ‘No’ Team although it will be hosting the continental athletics tournament, which kicks off tomorrow.

"We applied early enough and we are not out to frustrate the other side," explained Ms Ong’era.