COTU boss, Francis Atwoli has called on President William Ruto and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to urgently intervene and stop ongoing political rallies, warning that they are fuelling instability in the country.
The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) boss said the continued political gatherings pose a growing security risk and undermine established electoral guidelines.
“I want to appeal to H.E President William Ruto and also the IEBC to move with speed and put to a stop the ongoing rallies that are fanning political instability and tension in the country,” Atwoli said in a statement on Saturday.
He added that the rallies contravene timelines set by the electoral body regarding campaign activities ahead of the next general election.
“The ongoing rallies are a security threat and a violation of the IEBC timelines on the electioneering campaigns,” he said.
Atwoli’s remarks come amid heightened political activity across various parts of the country, with leaders holding frequent public meetings that have drawn large crowds and, in some instances, triggered tensions.
The veteran trade unionist urged authorities to enforce the law and ensure political actors adhere to regulations governing campaign periods, warning that failure to act could escalate tensions further.
Atwoli maintained that safeguarding stability should take precedence, calling for restraint among political leaders and strict enforcement of existing regulations.
His request came after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s planned political rally in Kikuyu Constituency descended into disorder on Saturday, with teargas fired and confrontations breaking out as crowds gathered.
The early chaos disrupted transport and heightened anxiety over the security of the meeting.
Trouble began to build as groups assembled in different sections of the area, prompting police to intervene.
Witnesses reported running battles between sections of the crowd and officers, with teargas used to push people back.
Traffic flow was severely affected at Thogoto and Gitaru, key points for vehicles heading to and from Nairobi’s western side. Drivers described long queues and gridlock, with some abandoning their routes altogether as smaller roads also became congested.
“Tyres were lit, and it was hard to use that route,” one driver reported.
Police were later deployed in larger numbers to regain control, clear the obstructions, and reopen the roads.
The disruption followed concerns raised ahead of the rally. In a letter to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Gachagua had warned of possible interference and called for tighter security measures.
“The organised goons are to create mayhem, vandalise people's businesses, attack targeted establishments to trigger the police, who will join in by using teargas,” part of the letter states.
He also pointed to claims of a plan to block entry routes into Kikuyu town to limit access to the venue. The letter indicated that heavy trucks could be stationed along highways under the pretext of breakdowns to slow down movement and affect rally logistics.
