Security deployed ahead of ex-Mungiki leader's meeting

Police officers man a roadblock. Maina Njenga's meeting has been declared illegal. [David Muthoka, Standard]

A heavy contingent of police has been deployed in Nyeri town ahead of the planned meeting by former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga at Kabiruini showground.

County Police Commander Benjamin Rotich yesterday declared the meeting was illegal.

Rotich warned that police are on high alert for any activities that may disturb peace and threaten security.

"We are set and all the security personnel are on the lookout for any illegal meeting. So far no one has applied for a licence to hold a meeting at Kabirui-ini showground in Nyeri," he said.

He urged the public to stay away from the meeting, and warned the youth against being coerced to attend illegal meetings, saying that anyone who goes against the law will be dealt with accordingly.

Police officers have been deployed on all major roads into the town, with roadblocks erected at Kabiruini, Embassy Estate near Mweiga town and at Kingongo junction.

At the Kabiruini show ground, the gates remained closed and there were no preparations for the meeting.

Last month, Njenga said the meeting would be a thanksgiving ceremony and leaders and youth from Mt Kenya had been invited to rally for unity of the region.

The former Mungiki leader also claimed that nobody will be paid to attend the meeting.

He maintained that he is no longer a member of the proscribed group but the chairman of Amani Sasa Foundation.