Police violently dispersed a rally organized by a former governor, even after the leader is said to have requested for prior security prior to the meeting.

Issa Timamy lost his governor’s seat to Fahim Twaha in 2017.

For more than three hours, police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse a crowd that had gathered for a rally called by former Lamu governor Issa Timamy on Saturday.

Scores of supporters had converged at Mpeketoni’s new stage to meet the ex-governor only to be repulsed by the police.

Timamy has been on a week-long tour of Lamu County to appreciate residents for their support during his petition against current governor, a bid he lost at the Supreme Court.

Warned against rally

Police sources indicated that Mr Timamy had been warned against holding the rally.

On Saturday, security roadblocks on the Lamu-Mpeketoni road were abruptly set up with police checking every vehicle that passed Mokowe heading to Mpeketoni.

It is reported that they were searching for Timamy to stop him from attending the rally.

“That is unfair!”

Mr Timamy expressed disappointment over the move by the security department to treat him ‘unfairly.’

Mr Timamy said he had even informed the police prior to the meeting at Mpeketoni and that he was expecting them to provide security during the rally.

“I had earlier informed the area OCS about the meeting and we were only expecting them to provide security. Why then do they resolve to fight us? They increased the number of roadblocks on the road…That’s unfair,” said Mr Timamy.