General calm witnessed in parts of North Rift

Police officers take vigil during the Finance Bill demonstration in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on June 20, 2024. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

There was general calm in the North Rift region as Gen Z demonstrations rocked parts of the country yesterday.

Normal business activities were witnessed in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu and Kapsabet, Nandi County while the police had to swing into action when demonstrations in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County turned chaotic when motorists were harassed.

In Eldoret, President William Ruto’s hometown, a heavy presence of police and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers in armoured military vehicles kept vigil.

Unlike last week when thousands of protesters poured into the streets, the security apparatus thwarted attempts by youth to hold demonstrations.

Several police and military vehicles were stationed near Zion Mall and Barng’etuny Building roundabout but left to patrol various government installations in the afternoon.

Youth said they did not come to the streets to protest following the intensified patrols and deployment.

Earlier in the day, scores of youth gathered near Eldoret Shuttle bus stage but were dispersed by armed police.

The police patrolled areas near Eldoret's main market following reports that some protesters had planned to disrupt business.

Business operations were normal with premises including supermarkets opening for learners returning back to school after the mid-term break.

Jonathan Kimutai, a Gen Z, said the reinforced police and military deployment would not stop the youth from staging protests in the coming days.

“We have degree certificates but there are no job opportunities. We performed well in school but those individuals who failed are rewarded with jobs,” Kimutai said.

He added: “We have just postponed the protests because our younger brothers and sisters are returning back to school after half-term break.”

Another youth, Anthony Muturi, said they will continue with protests until President Ruto deals firmly with corruption and wastage.

“We will no longer listen to stories by the President. We have seen reports that MPs are planning to increase their salaries when the youth have no jobs. That is why we are not going to end the protests anytime soon,” he said. 

Last Tuesday, agitated protesters set ablaze the Eldoret Municipal Court (a Magistrates Court), vandalized sections of Uasin Gishu County government headquarters and burnt six vehicles, two of them belonging to the county. The youths also vandalized Timba XO nightclub associated with a local politician.

In Kitale, police fired teargas to disperse protestors after an initially peaceful demonstration turned chaotic after a vehicle ferrying milk was stopped by demonstrators who took a jerrican.

A driver of a van transporting bread was forced to make a U-turn to evade looting.

A female motorist was allegedly stopped and robbed of her mobile phone and other property before the officers arrived during the incident near Alakara Hotel.

The officers in seven vehicles engaged the protesters in a running battle. Gen Z accused some criminals of infiltrating their peaceful demonstrations.

In Kapsabet, residents went about their normal businesses with no sign of demonstrations. Eateries, supermarkets and hardware shops were opened.

Police patrolled the town, not taking any chances in case Gen Z youths stormed in.

Local police have also distanced themselves from Kenya Commission for Human Rights (KCHR) reports that one youth died in Kapsabet demonstrations last week, terming it ‘fabricated information’.

Maurice Okul, Nandi Central OCPD said that the demonstration that comprised of the youths was peaceful and not even injuries were recorded, since there was no confrontation.

“We wonder how KCHR came up with such information. We have raised our concerns with headquarters in Nairobi to address. The police acted responsibly and no shootings were made during the demonstrations," he stated.

[Stephen Rutto, Osinde Obare and Edward Kosut]