Ruto Stumbles In Hunt For Nairobi Venues For Final Rally

It however remains unclear whether the same update will affect Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja coalition...

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Jul 21, 2022 - 07:27
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Ruto Stumbles In Hunt For Nairobi Venues For Final Rally
DP William Ruto. /NAIROBI NEWS

Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been hit with a big blow in its hopes of staging its last mega rally in Nairobi on Saturday, August 6, the final day for campaigns across the country.

In a letter seen by Viral Tea dated Wednesday, July 20, Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto revealed to the party that the Nyayo National Stadium, which they had intended to use for the event, has already been booked.

Metto, in the notice addressed to UDA secretary general Veronica Maina, also noted that the 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium was also booked for between Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.

An aerial view of Nyayo National Stadium. /FILE

He added that both stadiums have been booked for peace concerts to be staged just before the elections week kicks off.

"We regret to inform you that due to peace concerts scheduled to take place at both Moi International Sports Center- Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium between 5th-7th August 2022, the facility will not available for your use. Kindly be informed," he addressed in the letter.

It however remains unclear whether the same update will affect Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja coalition, which had booked the stadium for its final campaigns set for the same day.

Both Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza coalition suddenly found themselves at loggerheads after revealing in separate announcements that they had secured the stadium for their rallies, creating a sense of worry among Nairobi residents on top of a standoff between the factions.

Azimio Secretary-General Junet Mohammed on Tuesday, July 19 revealed in a press statement that they would hold their last rally in the stadium. However, Ruto's Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi claimed that UDA had booked the venue already, showing a contract dated July 12 as proof of evidence.

"The Azimio campaign team led by #babanamartha will hold its last official campaign meeting in Nairobi at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, August 6," the statement indicated.

Junet did not provide evidence that Azimio had reserved the stadium with Itumbi following up his statement with an invoice paid to the managing organisation of the national stadium, Sports Kenya.

"Hire of the Nyayo National Stadium for a political rally as per proforma invoice number (SK/P1/399 Vol IV/18)  amounting to Ksh1,508,000 plus a separate cheque of Ksh1 million refundable damage fee," read the contract in part.

Itumbi then accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of steering the two factions into a collision course by putting them in the same stadium. It has been used in recent months for high-profile campaign events ranging from the launch of the Azimio manifesto to Ruto hosting the Kenya Kwanza women's guild, prayers and the youth charter at the stadium.

Kasarani has been used during Raila's announcement in December 2021 that he would vie for president and during the launch of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto on Thursday, June 30.

Renovations have been meanwhile ongoing at Uhuru Park and Central Park after close to one year of closure, with reports indicating that they will be reopened this month and President Uhuru Kenyatta presiding over its reopening before leaving office.

Both grounds could thus be among considerable alternatives by the two coalitions for their final rallies but they will want to avoid a repeat of what happened at the Jacaranda Grounds where DP Ruto supporters clashed with those of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.

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