Confrontation loomed over a rally to welcome Uhuru and Ruto, who return from The Hague where they appeared before the International Criminal Court this morning, after a group allied to the PM stormed Uhuru Park where the rally is scheduled.
As all this was happening, The Standard learnt that a National Security Advisory Council meeting chaired by Internal Security PS Francis Kimemia was held on Thursday at which Police Commissioner Matthew Iteere advised that any rallies planned for today be cancelled.
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| MPs allied to Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto finalise preparations for a prayer rally at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, today. [PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD] |
Iteere’s request was noted in the minutes but, strangely enough, never acted upon. Present at the meeting were the Chief of General Staff Gen Jeremiah M Kianga, the Director General of the National Security Intelligence Service Maj-Gen Michael Gichangi and PS Mohammed Isahakia from the Prime Minister’s office.
On Sunday, the ODM group led by former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, nominated MP Rachel Shebesh, former councilor Opete Opete and political activist John Kiarie took over the venue and claimed they were the first to be licensed to use it.
The group took over the dais that had been decorated ready for Monday’s rally that would be aired live by television stations.
The confrontation almost took an ugly turn when a PNU group led by Makadara MP Mike Mbuvi alias Sonko and Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu came to the venue to confront Ndolo’s group.
The group led by Sonko and Waititu later left leaving Ndolo’s group who were reinforced by a bigger group at the Park. Anti-riot police arrived at the venue after 7pm last night to disperse the ODM group, whom they also ordered to dismantle a public address system they were setting up. Ndolo said that he was mobilising more youth to stop their rivals from using the venue.
The standoff appeared to pit PNU and supporters of Ruto against those of the PM.
Government spokesman Alfred Mutua released a strange statement in which he appeared to be speaking on behalf of PNU, claiming that ODM plans to "disrupt the PNU rally and cause chaos".
He said the venue had been booked for a PNU rally and claimed that Government security organs were aware of a "plot by some members of the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) to disrupt the PNU meeting with an aim of causing confrontation and possible violence… According to the security organs, the strategy is to paint the returning Kenyans as violent, with an aim of influencing the ongoing process at the International Criminal Court (ICC)," he said.
Mutua’s statement appeared to relay the message that the Government had already taken sides in the matter and thrown its weight behind the rally for the Ocampo suspects.
He also said ODM deputy party leader Musalia Mudavadi, who is also the Local Government Minister, had been contacted and informed of the concerns of the security organs.
"Other ODM leaders are also being contacted so as to be asked to stop their members from disrupting a legally planned meeting with an intention of causing violence" he said in his statement.
Nairobi PPO Anthony Kibuchi said they were ready to deal with any situation.
"We have intelligence that there may be chaos at the planned rally, but we urge organizers to be in charge of their supporters" he said.
On Sunday, PNU organisers of the rally claimed the Nairobi City Council Town Clerk Philip Kisia issued them with a permit to hold the rally at Uhuru Park after paying the requisite fees and consequently got clearance from police
But acting Nairobi Mayor stirred the controversy when he issued a statement saying that the venue was to be used by ODM and civil society groups. Shortly after his statement, the ODM group entered the venue and the standoff ensued.
"We have paid the fees to Nairobi City Council and expect our supporters to come in numbers. We have obtained a permit from the Police," claimed Dujis MP Aden Duale.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri claimed he secured a permit from the Town Clerk, Mr Philip Kisia and that the police have permitted that the gathering go on as planned.
"I got the licence from Kisia for the event and the police have permitted us to carry on with the rally," said Mr Kiunjuri.
But Aladwa contradicted them saying that a different group would use the venue.
"The permit for Uhuru Park has been issued to the civil society group and ODM to hold their meeting from 10am. We don’t want any chaos at Uhuru Park," he said.
Supporters of Uhuru and Ruto said their rally was a ‘warm welcome’ for the duo as they come back from The Hague where they came face to face with ICC judges
The duo land at JKIA shortly after 6pm from where their supporters would accompany them in a procession through the city to the venue where the rally kicks off at 11.30am.
The duo’s will leave the airport and take the Outering Road before proceeding to town through Jogoo Road. This is expected to create a massive snarl-up in the heavily populated Eastlands area.
They would then take Haile Selassie Avenue before heading to Uhuru Park. Legislators who organized the rally said it would be a ‘prayer rally’ but did not rule out politics.
"Even when we go for funerals, we pray for the bereaved and then we engage in our stuff (politics)," said Laikipia East MP, Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Uhuru and Ruto would address the rally and it would be interesting to watch what they would say given the order that was issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber handling their cases.
Presiding Judge Ms Ekaterina Trendafilova warned the suspects that the court would replace the summonses with warrants of arrests should they engage in hate speech.
She said the Chamber might be prompted to replace the summonses to appear with warrants of arrest if any of the suspects engages in incitement.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the ministry of Internal Security have previously warned against the use of hate speech.
At the rallies preceding The Hague trip Uhuru and Ruto said the ICC process was political and linked the PM to their woes. At ICC Uhuru introduced himself as being appointed Finance Minister by ‘a duly elected president’, a remark analysts say was a veiled attack on Raila, to portray him as somebody who forced his way into the government.
Attorney General Amos Wako has also warned the suspects against ignoring the ICC’s directive even as they head for the gathering. Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo is also among those who have advised the Ocampo six against addressing charged rallies. The 40 MPs who accompanied the suspects are also expected to attend the meeting.
Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu said the rally was a prayer rally and should not worry anyone.
"It is a prayer to welcome our brothers. We are prayerful and anybody who is prayerful is welcome," said Kiunjuri.
The team is also said to be using tomorrow’s gathering to form a political party with the aim of giving ODM a run for its money. It is, however, understood that the plan has been shelved owing to some differences between the two camps on the leadership structure.
It was not clear by yesterday whether any of the other four Ocampo Six suspects were to attend the rally. They are Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura, Postmaster General Maj-Gen (rtd) Hussein Ali, Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and Kass FM radio presenter Joshua arap Sang.
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