Fear, anxiety at county offices as youth turn heat on governors

A protester was rescued by Kenya Red Red Cross after being hit by a teargas canister during anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi on July 16, 2024. [Collins Oduor, Standard] Ugly scenes were reported during 'occupy counties' protests witnessed in several parts of the country Tuesday. Hired goons armed with rungus and machetes were spotted in some areas including Kakamega where police had a difficult time dispersing protestors who engaged in cat-and-mouse games. In Nyamira County, the protesters attempted to storm the county assembly to pass their message. Police fired in the air and lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the youth who wanted to storm Governor Amos Nyaribo's office and residence in Nyabite. The governor was not in the office when the protests rocked the town from 10 am to around 3 pm. Youths said they were not happy with how the county government was being run and accused Nyaribo of not doing enough to control runaway corruption. They also demanded the sacking of County Executive for Gender, Youth and Sports Grace Nyamongo and a youth be appointed in the position. "We have lost trust in this government. How can the governor trust a docket for youths with a non-youth?" Posed Adams Nyaribo. In Kisumu, protestors engaged the police in running battles in the central business district as traders closed businesses. In Homa Bay town, the pro and anti-protest groups clashed along Garage Road. A saloon car that was used by the protestors was pelted with stones and pushed into a ditch. "We had planned to hold a peaceful demonstration but the other group came to violate our rights by stopping us. We had nothing to do other than to discipline them because they were contravening our rights," Maurice Osodo. In Kisii, youths demonstrated along the streets for the better part of the day. The peaceful demonstrators walked from Daraja Moja area through the CBD and back. However, another group of protestors emerged chanting slogans against Governor Simba Arati's leadership as police watched from a distance. In Migori county, youths held peaceful protests, however, traders closed shops for fear of looting. Protestors march in Kisii town during Anti-Government protests. [Sammy Omingo, Standard] In Kakamega town, what began as peaceful protests quickly descended into chaos as hired goons, Gen-Z protestors, and the police clashed. Individuals allegedly hired by the business community armed with rungus and wearing masks had assembled along Kenyatta Avenue before chaos erupted after Gen-Z protestors confronted and disarmed them. Another group looted stalls along Sudi Road, Canon Awori Street, and the main market. Nominated MCA Joel Okwako came to the Gen-Z's defence saying they were engaging in peaceful protests," anyone engaging in violence is not them." "Look at the Gen-Z protestors, they are not armed but the hired goons have come to cause mayhem," said Mr Okwako. Kakamega businessman Cleophas Shimanyula alias 'Toto' said they support the Gen-Z but "we must protect our property from being destroyed." A contingent of heavily armed police officers in six cars lobbed teargas canisters and shoot in the air to disperse protestors. A protester flees from teargas lobbed along Moi Avenue, Nairobi during the anti-government protests on Monday, July 16, 2024. [Collins Kweyu, Standard] The police also kept vigil at the county headquarters. Governor Fernandes Barasa had asked county staff to stay away work and all county government vehicles were parked at the Kakamega Police station. At least a dozen protestors were seriously injured while business people were left counting losses running into thousands of shillings following vandalism and looting. Waving placards and chanting slogans against the government, Gen Z protestors demanded accountability and transparency from the county administration. The Gen-Z demanded that Governor Barasa dismisses his entire cabinet and chief officers, ensure adequate drugs at the county health facilities and stop rampant corruption in his government. "We are tired of the rampant corruption and mismanagement. Our future is at stake," said 22-year-old Joyce Atieno, a university student. They also demanded that President William Ruto ensure the prosecution of police officers who killed peaceful demonstrators and reconstitute the Cabinet with the face of Kenya. Pupils at Mahiakalo Primary School were caught up when police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse protesters after goons started looting shops. Parents mobilized on social media after the incident and went to the school to pick up their children. "Our innocent children have been tear-gassed by the police. It's tough...they are coughing because of the tear gas effect and it's not a good show at all. Please go pick up your child at Mahiakalo primary and take them home for their safety," posted Brenda Mishy, in a WhatsApp group. However, when contacted, Nelson Khaemba, Mahiakalo head teacher, said that police came to disperse protestors who had started throwing stones at the school. Meru youths carry placards expressing their opinion on the Meru Executive and the County Assembly as they march through the streets on July 16, 2024. [Phares Mutembei, Standard] "The protestors were on the road around Lurambi junction and turned chaotic. They started throwing stones while drawing near the school. Feeling unsafe, I reached out to the county commander who sent police officers to come and quell the situation," said Mr Khaemba "They found the goons trying to gain access into the school through the fence and lobbed teargas canisters at them, its effect is what was felt at the school as all the pupils had been assembled at the parade. We then released them to go home," he added. Several schools had asked parents to keep their children at home fearing for their safety. In Mombasa, protesters blocked Jomo Kenyatta Avenue forcing the police to lob teargas canisters to disperse them. Demonstrations were also reported in Kilifi and Voi towns while police managed to disperse youth as they gathered outside Ukunda town, Kwale county after mounting roadblocks. "We do not want dialogue. Raila (Odinga) and Oburu (Oginga) should stay home," shouted the protesters. But in the afternoon, police called for reinforcement after youth blocked the road in Majengo. The police action led to total paralysis of business along the Jomo Kenyatta Avenue and adjacent areas as they dispersed the youth through Majengo alleys. Traffic along Moi Avenue, Digo Road and Abdul Nasser Road and Jomo Kenyatta Avenue was interrupted as the protestors, some waving twigs and carrying the national flag took to the streets. Earlier, Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri's attempt to address the protesters at Mwembe Tayari were thwarted after rowdy youths who shouted him down saying they did not want any politicians in their demonstrations. "Hatutaki wanasiasa (We do not want politicians in our midst," the protestors shouted. Mr Khatri obliged and left in a huff. Collins Obado, a Mombasa Tuk Tuk Drivers Association official, said that police might have decided to break up the protests following credible reports that they had been infiltrated by goons who wanted to cause mayhem. "This was a very peaceful protest march. In fact, those participating were even cautioned not to engage in any acts of violence, looting, or destroying property," he said. Hassan Mrabu, a protester said: ''This is a country of 60 million people and there cannot be lack of qualified individuals from where President Ruto can pick Kenyans to serve in his Cabinet." Several businesses remained closed in the CBD with shoe retailer, Bata outlets, removing merchandise from shelves. The Gen Z movement Kilifi chapter demanded that Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro sacks some staff including advisers in his administration. The youth also want Mung'aro to disband his cabinet over alleged corruption and abuse of office. Protesters further demanded that the governor publishes all the development projects with the funds used. Recently, Mung'aro was put in a spot for purchasing a high-up vehicle for the Department of Lands, Energy and Physical Planning worth Sh16 million. The residents questioned the cost of the vehicle and the county government's priorities. "The governor has not implemented most of his key agendas all he does is play Public relations on the locals. We want him to come out and make everything open," a protester James Kea. Another protester John Onyango claimed that there was no tangible development witnessed since elections. In Taita Taveta county, anti-riot police were deployed to guard business premises of Mwatate legislator Peter Shake in Voi town after youth took to the streets. This time round there was however low turnout and traffic flow along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway was not disrupted like in the previous protests. The youths accused some politicians of dishing out money on Monday night to disrupt the anti-government protests. Police said the protests were low key as Taita Taveta National Polytechnic (TTNP) and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) students were sitting for examinations. "We suspect that some disgruntled politicians dished out money on Monday night to scuttle the anti-government protests and the fight against bad governance, corruption and bad policies is still on. We will demand accountability," stated the protesters. A section of protesters along Moi Avenue, Nairobi during the anti-government protests on Monday, July 16, 2024. [Collins Kweyu, Standard] Voi Sub County Police Commander Dafarla Ibrahim said police kept vigil in the town and along the highway to avert the destruction of property. "The protesters were few because college students are doing their examination but we are not taking chances," he said. In Mt Kenya region there was calm as protestors stayed away from busy towns. In Meru County, the Gen Z protestors were largely a peaceful lot and converged early at Kinoru in the Makutano area. To gain entry into Meru town they had to pass by Governor Kawira Mwangaza's offices and she said she was working to fulfill their needs and development. "Let them express their feelings," Mwangaza said. The Governor said her administration had done enough to support the Gen Z aspirations. "I have done a lot for them in my government," she said. In Embu County Gen Z protestors accused authorities of paying goons to disrupt protests. Embu County police commander Nicholas Maina dismissed claims that police were working with goons who were armed with crude weapons. Artist James Kimanthi who was abducted in the first days of the anti-finance bill protests in Embu narrated his story in police custody for six hours while condemning infiltration of the protesters by goons. In Nyeri county protests erupted in the evening in Karatina Town, Mathira Constituency bringing the busy town to a standstill as they barricaded the Nyeri- Nairobi highway Reports by Philip Mwakio, Marion Kithi, Mary Imenza, James Omoro, Renson Mnyamwezi, Anne Atieno, Eric Abuga, Amos Kiarie, Muriithi Mugo, Phares Mutembei.

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