One shot as protests rock Ruto's Rift Valley backyard

 

One person was shot and scores injured during Generation Z protests in President William Ruto's Rift Valley backyard.

Police fired bullets and lobbed teargas canisters after protesters stormed county headquarters in Nakuru, Turkana, Baringo, Kericho, Nyandarua and Narok counties to push for accountability and good governance from governors.

In Kericho and Narok counties, goons attempted to disrupt the peaceful protests, but in some instances, the youth overpowered them.

However, President Ruto's home county of Uasin Gishu witnessed heavy police presence, forcing the youth to keep off the streets.

It was relatively calm in the neighbouring Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia and West Pokot counties, where youth did not take to the streets.
There were no protests in Bomet and Samburu counties in South Rift region.

In Nakuru City, police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse protestors who had converged along Kenyatta Avenue to begin their march to Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika’s office.

A 26-year-old man sustained injuries after he was shot with a rubber bullet outside a bank along Kenyatta Avenue as police broke up protests.

His brother, who sought anonymity, said they were heading to one of the banks along Kenyatta Avenue when he was shot.

"He was heading to the bank when he was shot with a rubber bullet. He has sustained serious injury," said the brother.

Another protester sustained a head injury in the ensuing melee that lasted for five hours.

James Mbugua, a person living with disability, was teargassed as he called for the president to end the killing of innocent lives.

"Stop the killing of youths! No more killing Mr President!" shouted Mbugua as he lifted his crutches.

Masese Kemunche, a human rights activist with the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) condemned the use of excessive force by police officers.

In Narok county, one person was seriously injured after he was hit by a club on the head as two groups of youth clashed during the anti-government demonstrations.

The injured were youth who had gathered at Rungu Moi Square to begin the protest when a group opposed to the demonstrations accosted them.

The attacker was identified as an employee of the county government attached to the office of Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu.

"A man identified as Sammy Woiyie, was attacked by a man who alighted from a Probox while he was in the crowd planning the demonstrations. He was taken to the Narok County Referral Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment," said Nicodemus Lukeine, who witnessed the incident.

Lukeine said Woiyie was in the company of four other people who were armed with placards, whistles and vuvuzelas, ready to begin the protest when they were attacked.

"After he was hit, he fainted on the spot, and the attackers fled in the vehicle they arrived in before police intervened and arrested two people who were with the attackers," he said.

However, a section of Gen Z, led by Jackson Sairowua, condemned the violence meted out against the protesters.

"As we continue, there are some elements with political backing who are hijacking the demonstrations, making it violent, others coming to loot, as Narok youth, we are against such demos," said Sairowua.

Narok Central Police Commander John Mumanyi said the victim who was attacked is yet to record a statement. The police boss said two people have been arrested so far.

In Eldoret town, armed police officers in anti-riot gear kept vigil as youths briefly matched peacefully in the Central Business District (CBD), raising anxiety among the business community.

However, business went on without interruptions.

The county headquarters was deserted as staff kept off for fear of protesters storming in to demand good governance.

Residents who had camped at the town hall in the morning seeking various services were turned away at the gate by the county enforcement officers who told them that there was nobody to serve them.

“We are under firm instructions not to allow anybody beyond this gate,” said a senior county enforcement officer.

All county vehicles and those belonging to senior and junior staff were also removed from the parking on Monday evening in anticipation of demonstrations after word went round on social media.

Earlier, there was drama in the town when police officers arrested three youths who had attempted to demonstrate.

One of those arrested, Peter Njogu, who had a whistle and a flag, said he had been accused of ‘overturning the government’.

"I do not know whether I shall be released or not. I only have my phone and this whistle and the flag. I am here to fight for a better country. Cases of corruption in our country are alarming. I am a peaceful demonstrator," said Njogu.

The hawk-eyed officers, with a dozen of them in civilian clothes, patrolled the streets.

In Lodwar, a protester was injured after he attempted to disrupt business in the Kanamkemer area after a youth opposed to the protests descended on him.

Police had to respond after two groups – those for protests and anti-demonstrations, clashed.

Gen Z had vowed to paralyse operations in Turkana county government premises over alleged rampant abuse of office by the administration.

The police dispersed the youths to avert chaos.

Normalcy returned later as businesses opened and people went about their activities with heavy police patrols.

In Kitale, security was tight as a handful of youths staged a peaceful demonstration against the Kenya Kwanza government.

The governor's office and High Court premises were secured by armed police officers. This followed reports that a local politician had hired goons to storm Governor George Natembeya’s office.

The about 20 youths moved in a procession around the CBD as police officers watched from a distance.

In Baringo county, police lobbed teargas canisters at protestors who attempted to gain entry into Governor Benjamin Cheboi’s office in Kabarnet town.

Earlier, the protestors had marched peacefully to the county headquarters, where they intended to present their petition to the leadership.

However, on reaching the governor’s office, they found the gate closed and decided to force their way in.

They brought down the signage to the governor’s office.

It was at this point that the police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them.

In Kericho town, tension was high as anti-government protesters clashed with vigilantes allegedly hired by local leaders to intimidate Gen Z from marching to Governor Erick Mutai's offices to demand accountability.

The confrontation occurred at the KCC roundabout, where county government critics voiced their dismay over the hiring of goons to stifle the residents' democratic right to assemble and critique the government.

“The governor should not run away. He should be brave enough and face the residents to express himself on his fleeting development agenda,” said Charles Letule, a boda-boda rider.

Josephat Mutai also condemned the leaders for hiring goons to patrol the town instead of allowing the residents to exercise their democratic rights. “We planned to conduct a peaceful protest. We do not take it kindly that the goons have invaded the town,” he said.

The protestors accused Governor Mutai of failing to block the deployment of mechanized tea harvesting machines by multinational tea firms, allowing corruption to creep into the Kazi Mtaani programme, where Sh39 million was allegedly irregularly paid to companies associated with senior county officials and the executive, among other issues.

They demanded that the governor sacks all county executive committee members for alleged incompetence.

In Nyandarua County, police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse protestors who had converged in the central business district.

However, the youth were forced to abandon the mission after heavy rains started.

Reports by Daniel Chege, Nikko Tanui, Julius Chepkwony, George Sayagie, Lynn Kolongei, Lucas Ngasike and Osinde Obare