Murang’a Meeting is on as Planned – Wa Iria Tells Police

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 –Azimio la Umoja coalition will go on with their planned meeting in Murang’a County on Thursday April 20.

Despite protest from the police, former Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria has poured cold water on police reaction and asserted that the meeting will go on as scheduled.

He argued that, according to what the law requires, on Tuesday April 18, he presented a notice to hold the meeting to the Murang’a Police Station describing this as a sign of courtesy.

“It’s like people going to a church service and the police tell them that they need their permission. We are politicians and we don’t require anybody’s permission to meet.

“However, for the sake of courtesy, we informed them and they said they have rejected it. I want to tell the police that we were not asking for their permission. I have already discussed with ‘Baba’ and the meeting is on.”

The meeting, Wa Iria said, would be attended by top Azimio la Umoja leadership led by Raila Odinga and would culminate in a meeting in the streets of Murang’a Town.

The meeting would bring together ‘non-shareholders’ too.

Wa Iria said Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had made it clear that theirs is a private company complete with shareholders and that non-shareholders have to devise ways of moving forward and fighting for their rights.

And on Wednesday April 18 morning, County Police Commander David Mathiu said the Azimio’s notice ought to have been submitted four days before and that his officers will not be available to offer any security.

As such, Mathiu said, the meeting will not be allowed to take place as the police require a longer time to prepare.