Police Fire Teargas as Chaos Erupt During Ruto’s Rally at Jacaranda Grounds

Deputy President William Ruto's rally at Jacaranda grounds in Embakasi, Nairobi was on Sunday briefly disrupted after rival groups clashed.

The fight started after a group opposed to the meeting allegedly raided the venue and pelted attendees with stones.

Anti-riot police were forced to fire teargas to disperse the crowd that had gathered at the venue to listen to the deputy president, who was there to popularize his State House bid. 

Speaking after normalcy was restored, Ruto promised to do away with the culture of violence and throwing stones once he is elected president on August 9th this year.

"Mskikuwe na wasiwasi, hii mambo ya mawe tunaimaliza mwaka huu, sisi tunasema kazi ni kazi, wira ni wira, mwaka huu, wale mnakopa pesa kwa Shylock, na Fuliza, niko na habari njema, mwaka huu tunaweka billioni hamsini," Ruto told residents.

Ruto also asked his main competitor Raila Odinga to assure Kenyans that he will concede defeat and stop mobilizing his supporters to cause violence during the campaign period and after the election.

“The only thing I ask my friend Raila Odinga is to accept defeat and should not cause violence or swear himself in after the August 9, General Election,” said Ruto.

He also declared that leaders and supporters of the ‘hustler movement’ will not succumb to threats, blackmail, and intimidation by their detractors.

Ruto further hit out at his competitors for duping youth with handouts, saying it was an insult to the millions of educated and hardworking young people seeking job opportunities.

“Please, respect the youth of Kenya. These are not people to be given handouts. They want jobs and business opportunities,” he said.