Leaders who are allies to Deputy President William Ruto of Kenya were on Friday blocked from holding a meeting at Ukunda in Msambweni to drum up support for Independent candidate Abdallah Bader ahead of the by election

The leaders, led by former senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Hassan Omar (Mombasa) and Johnstone Muthama (Machakos), were tear-gassed and denied access into Diani’s REEF hotel by riot police.

Khalwale tweeted today; “Under police attack! Completely blocked from Diana Beach Hotel, the venue of today's Hustlers' delegates conference. Barricades, intimidation, delegates teargassed”.

Police had barricaded roads leading to Ukunda Show Ground where the leaders were expected to hold a meeting to drum up support for Bader ahead of the by-election.

Khalwale had vowed to lead Ruto allies to campaign for the independent candidate set to square out it with the Orange Democratic Party's Omar Boga, despite Jubilee party not fielding a candidate.

Muthama also accused the police of denying them access into REEF hotel in Diani where they had retreated to have lunch after their meeting was stopped.

This comes after National Security Advisory Committee on Wednesday prohibited public gatherings without clearance by local police authorities following the chaos witnessed at Kenol in Murang’a County last weekend that left two people dead.

Joseph Kinyua, Head of Public Service, warned against early campaigns accusing politicians of using the rallies to incite millions of jobless youths.

Kinyua said politicians intending to hold public meetings and gatherings will be required to notify the Officer Commanding Station of the given area three days prior to the intended gathering.