By VITALIS KIMUTAI

Police have cancelled a Kanu rally in Bomet.

Party Secretary-General Nick Salat had secured a permit for the rally, which was to be held at Silibwet trading centre in Bomet constituency.

The function was convened to thank ‘No’ supporters and residents for conducting a peaceful vote.

“We secured a police permit on Monday for the thanksgiving rally after passing through the normal process. But this (Tuesday) morning, the police called to inform us the rally had been cancelled,” Salat told The Standard on telephone.

Salat said: “Our aim was to thank the residents for high voter turn out.”

The former MP blamed a Cabinet minister for the cancellation, claiming he was uncomfortable with the rally, which was to be addressed by Kanu Vice-Chairman Gideon Moi among other leaders.

Area OCPD George Ali Losku told the Press in his office that the meeting had been cancelled after the organisers failed to involve area MP Beatrice Kones, who is the Home Affairs Assistant Minister.

“We cancelled the meeting on security grounds after organisers of the function did not involve the area MP in its planning,” Mr Losku said in the statement.

But Salat said it was baffling that police cancelled the rally on alleged security grounds when in reality the area had not been a scene of violence in the past.

“People in the area turned out in large numbers and voted peacefully, and they have since gone about their businesses normally. What are the police fearing for,” Salat posed.

He said the Government should reflect its commitment to allow Kenyans the right to freedom of expression and association and police should not be seen to be gagging peaceful people.