Police repulse pockets of protesters in Ukambani

In Ukambani pockets of protesters took to the streets Thursday despite heavy police presence.

Makueni county, which has in the recent past experienced violent protests in Emali, Wote, Makindu and Kibwezi towns, yesterday remained calm and deserted.  

Although there was a heavy presence of anti-riot police across major towns, businesses remained closed in Emali township, along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

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“Although business is not so fine there are those who opted to close their businesses while others remained open for the better part of the day. We have seen an improvement in terms of police patrols in the town and attempts by any quarters to regroup has been thwarted by police,” said Fredrick Peter, manager, EdenMart supermarket, Emali branch.

The supermarket is one of the businesses that bore the brunt of the anti-government demos after it was looted a few weeks ago.

In Machakos town, many businesses remained closed for fear of looting why supermarkets shut doors at around 3 pm.

Police officers repulsed youths who attempted to light fires on major streets including the roundabout in the central business district. Some protesters were arrested and taken to Machakos Police Station.

Hawkers who operate along the Machakos-Wote highway also vacated the area after it turned into a battleground between the police and protesters.

“This is another day lost. With these protests taking place, it is impossible to do business because the street is empty and we risk losing our stock to hooligans,” said Jennifer Kalekye, a second-hand clothes hawker.

In Kitui county, a few protesters waving twigs and placards held a procession from Kalundu market through the town centre where they castigated President William Ruto for turning a deaf ear to their demands.

The protesters said that Ruto's decision to form a broad-based government and incorporate members of ODM in the Cabinet was selfish and aimed at self-preservation.

"Our issues range from lowering the high cost of living, creation of jobs for the youth and youth representation in government. These have not been addressed, instead what we have witnessed is the appointment of ODM retirees into government. It is an insult to GenZs," said a protester who only identified himself as Mathias.

Further, the demonstrators took issue with what they termed President Ruto's calculated move to marginalise the Kamba community.

They particularly took issue with the sacking of former East Africa Community, Asal and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Penina Malonza.

The protesters demanded that President Ruto appoint another CS from Kitui County to replace Malonza.

Currently, the Ukambani region which is made up of three counties has only one Cabinet slot held by Alfred Mutua who was reappointed as Labour Cabinet Secretary.

[Stephen Nzioka, Erastus Mulwa and Phillip Muasya]