Ruto to challenge Nyayo stadium lock out in court

The group asked Azimio to share their details of booking the Stadium.

In Summary

•Nanok on Thursday asked their opponents to find an alternative venue nothing they were the first to book Nyayo stadium on July 9.

•He said there was no other political party or organisation that had shown any intention of using it before they booked.

DP William Ruto's Presidential secretariat head governor Josphat Nanok, head of communication Hussein Mohamed and other members during a press briefing at Westlands, Nairobi on July 21, 2022.
DP William Ruto's Presidential secretariat head governor Josphat Nanok, head of communication Hussein Mohamed and other members during a press briefing at Westlands, Nairobi on July 21, 2022.
Image: ANDREW KASUKU

Kenya Kwanza's head of presidential campaign Josephat Nanok says they will be moving to court to challenge the decision to lock them out of Nyayo Stadium.

Nanok on Thursday asked their opponents to find an alternative venue noting they were the first to book Nyayo stadium on July 9.

He said there was no other political party or organisation that had shown any intention of using it before they booked.

"We are prepared to challenge the Ministry of Sports, legally on August 3, because we have a signed contract. The contract hasn't been cancelled," Nanok said in a press conference at Ruto's command centre at Westlands, Nairobi.

The secretariat said it signed a contract with the organization responsible for Nyayo permits on July 12

Nanok said claims by Azimio la Umoja that they had also booked the stadium were a lie and that they are going to challenge the cancellations.

"We have heard that our key opponent also booked the stadium, we have realized that they have been bending the hands of the Ministry of Sports focusing them to be given that stadium and to cancel our contract," Nanok added.

Sports Kenya in a letter to the UDA party secretary general said the Stadium will be unavailable on August 6.

"We regret to inform you that due to peace concert scheduled to take place at both Moi International Sports Center- Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium between August 5 to 7 2022. The facility will not be available for their use," the letter said.

The letter was copied to the Cabinet Secretary  Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage, the Principal Secretary State Department for Sports and Development and to the Chairman Sports Kenya Board Charles Waithaka.

Sports Kenya said they highly regret the inconveniences caused.

A storm had been brewing ahead of the August 9 polls following reports that the Azimio La Umoja coalition and the Kenya Kwanza Alliance had scheduled their last rallies at the same venue.

Both camps were expected to hold their last major rallies on August 6.

A statement by Azimio secretary general Junet Mohamed on Tuesday stated that the coalition will hold its major rally at Nyayo Stadium.

"As the country approaches the general election in 20 days, the Azimio team wishes to thank all Kenyans of goodwill who have turned up in their millions all over the country at meetings, rallies and in person to join in this historic journey to a fair, just, prosperous and inclusive nation," the statement reads.

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