Nyeri, Kenya: Although Saturday’s beatification ceremony of Sister Irene Stefani ‘Nyaatha’ brought excitement to Nyeri residents, some motorists had their vehicles towed to pave way for a presidential address along a street in the town.
The vehicles were towed from the parking lot along Kimathi Way, where President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled a plaque in memory of Blessed Irene.
In a move that left a blot on the otherwise solemn and meticulously organised ceremony, the security personnel arrived with breakdowns to tow the vehicles, whose owners could not be traced.
This is despite failure by the security officers to cordon off the road where the President’s function occured.
Most residents had parked their vehicles in the morning and left for other businesses unaware of the function. But around noon when the beatification ceremony was being concluded, the mean looking presidential guards arrived and directed traffic police to tow away the vehicles.
Residents complained of lack of a notice warning the motorists against parking their vehicles along the street. “This is very unfair, why didn’t they warn motorists not to park their vehicles in those slots? Or block the road completely?
All these motorists had paid the parking fee as required,” said John Kagiri who operates a shop along the street. A motorist Geoffrey Mutahi blamed the security officers for his debacle.
“The vehicle was parked on the opposite side of the road where the President was to address the meeting, how does the vehicle interfere with the meeting? This is unfair, they have even made people close shops,” complained Mr Mutahi.
