Kiambaa By-election: Police Cordon Off Karuri Grounds as Jubilee and UDA Clash over Venue

There was tension in Kiambaa on Sunday as Jubilee Party and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members clashed over a campaign venue.

Both parties were competing for Karuri Primary School grounds where they planned to hold their rallies ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary by-election.

While Jubilee erected several tents in the field on Saturday, Deputy President William Ruto-linked UDA party claimed it had already booked and paid for the venue.

To avert the impending clash between supporters and leaders of the two parties, police officers were dispatched to the school at midday and cordoned off the grounds, putting the planned rallies on hold.

Karuri Police Commander Ali Nano later announced that the planned rallies had been canceled.

Six candidates are fighting for the seat that fell vacant following the death of former MP Paul Koinange.

Emotions ran high as the late Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange was laid to rest at his home in Kiambu County on Saturday.

Koinange died of COVID-19 related complications while undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Hospital on March 31st.

Jubilee party’s Kariri Njama and John Njuguna Wanjiku of UDA are the frontrunners for the seat.