The police have said that they had warned Deputy President William Ruto about tension in Kondole before he made the stopover.
According to police spokesperson Bruno Shioso, they had received intelligence of tension in Kondole area over the alleged distribution of campaign funds among local groups.
Shioso added that the intelligence was promptly shared with the DP’s team with a recommendation to skip the area.
“During the rally, violence erupted amongst the local agitated groups who engaged in stone-throwing and other unruly behavior,” Bruno said.
He said the police swiftly reacted to contain the situation and ensured that the DP was not hurt.
In his second day of his tour of the Nyanza region to campaign for his presidential bid, Ruto ran into a section of the youth who started chanting pro-Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga slogans.
Local residents were seen hurling stones at the deputy president’s convoy triggering a clash with police officers who battled to contain the situation.
Anti-riot police officers were forced to lob teargas canisters, forcing the rowdy youth, that had thronged the area scampering for safety.
Ruto accused his rivals of hiring youth to throw stones saying Kisumu is also Kenya.
“Kisumu is Kenya. We will make sure we’ve redeemed Kisumu from throwing stones,” said Ruto.
“Kisumu hii ni Kenya. Na Kisumu hii tutahakikisha tumekomboa Kisumu kutoka mambo ya mawe.”
“Our plans and programmes will ensure that the youth are liberated from regressive stone-throwing culture by engaging them in gainful activities that will better their lives through the Bottom-Up Economic Model.”
