Kabete kiosk owners light bonfires, block roads in demo over demolition

Kiosks operators in Gitaru, Kabete took to the streets on Friday in demonstrations over the demolition of their shops.

The protesters, who blocked Nairobi-Nakuru Wangige-Kikuyu roads, accused the county of being behind the destruction of their kiosks.

They lit bonfires on the roads, causing a snarl-up, but riot police led by area OCPD

Kiptoo Birgen and deputy county commissioner Leonard Mgute intervened.

The protesters claimed 30 men who took the shops down arrived at about 2am on Friday in lorries whose number plates were sealed with paper bags.

Joseph Wangai said two missing structures were taken by the raiders.

“The hotels had chapatis, mandazis, cooked beans in a sufuria, but they were also stolen,” he said.

The demonstrators linked county administrator Stephen Kiiru to the demolition, and urged Governor William Kabogo to remove him from office.

“We have been working here for many years, but Kiiru has been warning us saying we are crossing on to the road,” said Geoffrey Kimani.

Businessman Githua Wamachukuru asked the government to find out who demolished the kiosks and why.

Mgute said investigations will be carried out but asked the county to involve the national government in decisions concerning residents.

“We shall talk to the county government to establish the problem they have with the kiosks. We appeal to the county for involvement in decision-making," he said.

Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu condemned the incident saying whoever ordered the demolition should be arrested and taken to court.

“It does not matter who it is. We want the government to investigate and arrest the person who gave the order. We want to know the truth. We want to know our enemies,” he said.