Gov’t blocks meeting planned by County Assemblies Forum at Bomas of Kenya

The Interior Ministry has declined to approve a meeting planned by the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) at the Bomas of Kenya citing the surge in COVID-19 infections in the country.

The County Assemblies Forum (CAF), which is the coordinating body of the 47 County Assemblies in the country, had written to the interior requesting a permit to hold a Special Annual General Meeting at Bomas on Friday, November 13.

Among the top agenda of the meeting was the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report where the members were expected to consolidate their views on the recently unveiled document.

“We note your request to be allowed to convene a Special Annual General Meeting on 13th November 2020 at the Bomas of Kenya. However, due to the noticeable surge in COVID-19 infections, the resultant increase in the positivity rate, and with respect to the reviewed protocols and guidelines on COVID-19 Pandemic, your request to convene the Special General Meeting has not been granted. Please take note and advise your audience accordingly,” reads a letter from Interior PS Karanja Kibicho.

Over 1,000 county assembly members were anticipated to attend the event.

Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta suspended all political gatherings and rallies for 60 days as the country enforced new measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“Anyone wishing to hold such meetings should do so in town halls and must observe all COVID protocols, including limiting the attendees to one-third seating capacity of the hall,” Kenyatta directed after a meeting of the National Emergency Response Committee (NERC).

Various leaders including Governors, Senators and Members of National Assembly have held separate meetings to discuss the BBI report.