MCAs in Murang'a engaged police in running battles on Tuesday as they attempted to hold a public forum on the use of water from Ndaka-ini
Dam.
The meeting was to be held at Ndaka-ini shopping centre.
A draft bill that seeks to legislate revenue sharing and wrangles in the management of the water sector was to be discussed.
Police officers, who spoke to the Star, said they had received information that the MCAs planned to vandalise property at Ndaka-ini
Dam.
Officers put roadblocks on all roads leading to the town. Residents were not allowed to walk in twos. Tension was high, and some traders closed their businesses.
MCAs confronted police at one roadblock along the Gatanga Ndaka-ini Road. However, they were allowed to hold a press briefing.
Police officers lob teargas canisters at the MCAs. /ALICE WAITHERA
As they held a press briefing, anti-riot police lobbed teargas canisters and dispersed the leaders.
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The police chased away the MCAs and Majority Chief Whip Simon Wamwea was arrested.
Water Committee chairperson Jane Wanjiru said MCAs wanted to collect views from residents. Wanjiru said she was disappointed police were deployed to scuttle their mission.
She denied claims that MCAs were planning to forcibly access Ndaka-ini
Dam.
"We cannot attempt to access the dam because we know it is a restricted area. That is why we are drafting a law,” Wanjiru said.
Speaking to journalists near Thika town, the nominated MCA demanded the release of their colleague.
Nominated MCA Stephen Chege accused county commissioner John Elungata of intimidating them.
"This is a revolution whose time has come and cannot be stopped by intimidation," the MCAs said.
Chege said Murang’a has always supported the Jubilee government, but there is little to show for its loyalty.
Kakuzi MCA Pelagia Muthoni said residents suffer because the area is semi-arid.
"The people of Nairobi should know that they cannot be consuming all our water when our
residents don’t have any," she said.