Kondele chaos: DP Ruto accuses police of engaging in ‘political mischief’, denies issuing handouts

Deputy President William Ruto has slammed the National Police Service (NPS) for allegedly having intelligence on a plot to instigate violence during his tour of Kondele, Kisumu County, yet doing nothing to stop it.

The DP, in a statement released on Wednesday by his Communication Secretary David Mugonyi, dismissed claims by NPS that the violence began as a clash between two groups over the sharing of cash handouts.

DP Ruto said no handouts were issued during the rally, terming the statement by the police service as careless.

“The statement by the National Police Service, which carelessly profiles people in regrettable terms, underscores the fact that they had intelligence on the criminal conspiracy to perpetrate lawlessness in broad daylight, and ample opportunity to stop it and facilitate a peaceful event, but consciously opted to engage in political mischief instead,” read Mr. Mugonyi’s statement.

“At no point was there deployment of campaign finances as alleged by the police. The police should not play around with people's lives or property. Just do your job.”

The DP condemned the incident saying it was unfortunate, further adding that he is no stranger to the region as he has interacted with the people multiple times.

He called for peace saying the scenes that were witnessed on Wednesday have no place in the Kenya he envisions.

“The people of Nyanza, Kisumu and in particular Kondele and the Deputy President are not strangers. They have come a long way and have interacted peacefully and productively with love and mutual respect for many years,” read the statement.

“The reckless deployment of criminal elements to tarnish their well-earned reputation of patriotism and robust democratic commitment is unfortunate and has no place in the Kenya we want. Hustlers are peaceful people who believe in the solidarity of all Kenyans.”