Senator Moses Wetangula faced the wrath of the police after he decided to address a rally in Bungoma town, against general Covid-19 restrictions that forbid gathering of large crowds.
The police fired teargas on the Bungoma senator with his supporters mobilising to protest the police action.
Wetangula who was leading a convoy into Kamukuya area, was unable to proceed after police teargassed his vehicles over concerns of social distancing by the crowds that were gathering around him.
In tow with Wetangula was MPs Didmus Baraza (Kimilili), Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) and Ben Washiali (Mumias East), with the leaders calling out the police saying that they had the right to congregate as guaranteed in the constitution.
“We don’t see why the teargas was necessary and we just accompanying Mudavadi home, “Wamalwa told journalists.
Even Bungoma county woman rep Catherine Wambilianga also spoke out against the police action. The leaders affirmed that Wetangula had the support of the region and they would not allow anyone to use them for their political gain.
“We maintain that Mulembe nation is firmly behind Wetangula and nobody will take us for granted again,” Wamalwa added.
Politicians have been put on the spot for engaging in social gatherings at the risk of the public with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stating that the law applied to everyone and the government had not allowed public gatherings.
“The government doesn’t support social gatherings, be it political, funerals, weddings. We are asking enforcing agencies to ensure that the regulations are strictly followed.
“As leaders, we should be setting examples of how to do that, yet there are those who are holding gatherings and endangering Kenyans lives,” he stated.
Update: Police on June 19, surrounded Senator Moses Wetangula’s home in Bungoma.
