A new public toilet built by the National Youth Service (NYS) in Kibera, Nairobi, was set ablaze by rowdy youths demonstrating against Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru on Monday night.
Yesterday, the youths forced contractors to seal a section that had been left for the construction of a gate that would give access to the toilet.
The more than 300 youths descended on the toilet and a section of a clinic under construction to vent their anger against Ms Waiguru for what they described as the undermining of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
On Monday night, Kamukunji grounds in Kibera was a no-go zone as the youths burnt down the toilet to protest against a move by another group from the area that planned to participate in a demonstration on the city streets in support of Waiguru who is accused of involvement in corruption at NYS.
Administration Police (AP) officers had a difficult time controlling the youths, who chanted anti-Waiguru slogans. All hell broke loose at around 7.15pm as one group that was watching the news at a local eatery was surprised to see some of the youths from the area demonstrating in the city centre in support of Waiguru.
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The over 20 youths watching TV started shouting, which attracted others who then headed for the Kamukunji grounds near Kibera Olympic Primary School, where they torched the toilet and clinic.
They barricaded roads and lit bonfires, forcing security officers from the local AP camp to be called in.
But the security officers instead watched from a distance for some time, as if assessing the situation. They followed the group slowly and from a distance as the youths headed for the primary school, where the burning of the two public facilities was happening.
Yesterday, tension was high in Kibera as the youths vowed not to allow construction of the clinic and toilet to go on, and accused the Government of "taking war" to Raila's doorstep.
BAD PICTURE
Police and local administration officers had a hard time restoring order at the grounds, forcing the postponement of a national identity card issuing exercise, which had been planned for the day.
"We were watching news when we saw the youths demonstrating in Nairobi. We realised they had been shortchanged and advised to paint a bad picture of Agwambo (Raila)," said one of the young men who identified himself as Okoth.
Okoth alleged the Government was attempting to make Raila look bad in Kibera and vowed to stand behind him.
He added the choice of the NYS project was suspect as there had been similar attempts to build a police post.
"The station would be used to intimidate Raila's followers. We are not against projects by NYS but we do not want a police station to be built here. We will burn it," he said.
A police statement sent to newsrooms said the youths started demonstrating at 7pm at Kibera's Olympic stage, where they lit bonfires and barricaded the road.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
