Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Nyeri County cordinator Wanyaga Gathaka (in white) addressing Nyeri town residents yesterday
As MP Eric Wamumbi Was Trying To Counter The Karatina Pro-Gachagua Demonstration, DCP Nyeri County Coordinator Wanyaga Gathaka Was Leading Another Protest In Nyeri Town. Last Night Kikuyu Community Patron Dr Thuo Mathenge Condemned The Protests And Attacks, Calling On Citizens To Preach And Live Peacefully
By MKT Correspondents
Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi hoped into a Probox to escape from irate pro- Gachagua demonstrators in Karatina yesterday.
Female market traders who are fanatically loyal to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had started preparing for demonstrations when they were confronted by goons said to have been unleashed by the legislator.
Trouble started when the thugs leader slapped one of the traders, resulting in her colleagues crying out for assistance.
The slim, tall fellow who is dreaded in the town is said to be the area leader of the proscribed Mungiki sect was accosted by the traders about 200 metres from the market and handed a thorough beating.
By press time, he was said to be in critical condition in one of Nairobi hospitals where he was transferred to after Karatina level 4 hospital authories refused to admit him fearing that he might be dragged out of the wards by residents.
The situation was not made any better by the arrival of the MP moments later and started boasting that he would single handedly man the town and bring the demo to an end infuriating the already charged residents.
His bodyguard momentarily lost his gun after his attempt to cock and shoot in the air was thwarted by youth who hit his arm leading to the pistol and its contents flying off metres away.
In the melee the lawmaker hoped into a Probox car and driven off as scores of security officers flooded the often cool and busy town.
Businesses in the town were closed for the better part of the day as traders feared looters might take advantage.
In Nyeri town, hundreds of security officers flooded the town thwarting attempts of residents to hold demonstrations.
Gachagua’s new found Party, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Nyeri County cordinator, Wanyaga Gathaka moved across the town accompanied by boda boda riders but was accosted by security officers and denied space to have a fully-fledged demonstration.
He was however able to address a group of supporters in the town centre where he urged them to join the new party enmasse as a way of solidarity with the former Deputy President.
By last evening, tension was high in the county as word spread that the proscribed group would attack in the night to avenge for their leader, but youth who sought for anonymity vowed to deal with them accordingly.
Though the group has had a low profile in recent years, memories of their heinous acts still linger among residents .
In August, 2010, in Gathaithi village on the border of Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties, 29 residents were butchered in cold blood and residents still shudder at a possible recurrence.
Last evening, Nyeri industrialist, Dr Thuo Mathenge condemned the fracas witnessed yesterday terming it as unfortunate incidents.
Dr Mathenge who is the patron of the Kikuyu community said he was deeply saddened by the incident that happened in Karatina saying it should not be witnessed again.
“We need to preach peace to all. Why should people of the same place, speaking same language attack each other? We need to live as brothers and sisters who care for each other,” said Dr Mathenge who is the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) chairman as well The New Democrats (TND) political party chairman.
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