Despite the police’s decision to cancel it, former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria has announced that he will still hold his anti-government meeting in Murang’a on Thursday.
Wa Iria had presented a notice to hold the meeting on Tuesday, citing the need for citizens to express their views on the challenges they face, such as high taxes and the cost of living.
The meeting would be attended by top Azimio la Umoja leadership, including Raila Odinga, and would culminate in a meeting in the streets of Murang’a town.
Wa Iria said the meeting would bring together “non-shareholders” as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had previously stated that his group was a private company with shareholders, and non-shareholders needed to find ways to move forward and fight for their rights.
However, County Police Commander David Mathiu rejected the notice, citing the need for a longer preparation time and stating that his officers would not provide security.
Despite this, Wa Iria insisted that the meeting would go ahead, saying that the constitution grants Kenyans the right to assemble.
He added that as politicians, they did not require anybody’s permission to hold the meeting. Furthermore, Wa Iria warned the police that if they interfered with the meeting, they should expect the worst to happen, stating that the meeting involves citizens and they do not have to be there.
