At least 14 police officers were injured in Nyeri County on
Wednesday after chaos broke out during the Gen Z protests, with a group of
violent demonstrators attempting to storm the home of Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi.
According to a police report filed at Karatina Police Station, the unrest began around 8:40 a.m on Wednesday.
This was after the youth barricaded the
Karatina–Nairobi Highway near the Total petrol station, lighting bonfires and
pelting motorists with stones while allegedly extorting money from drivers.
Police drawn from several units, including Mathira East and
West, DCI, APS, and trainees from Kiganjo Police College, were deployed to
clear the roads and restore order.
The crowd, however, grew larger and increasingly hostile,
chanting slogans, blowing vuvuzelas, and resisting police efforts.
By 11:00 a.m., the group began throwing stones at officers
and attempted to force their way into MP Wamumbi’s residence in Kamunyaka, but
were repulsed by security forces.
“They also broke into the DCC Mathira East compound,
shattered windows at the sub-county education office, and looted the APS
canteen,” part of the police statement reads.
“They were stopped as they attempted to set the Karatina Law
Courts on fire.”
Later in the evening, the group made a failed attempt to
storm Karatina Police Station and tried looting Mathai Supermarket at around
7:00 p.m.
They were again repulsed by the officers.
The violence left 14 officers with various injuries.
Among
them were SSP Samson Leweri, who suffered bruises on the face, elbow, and knee,
and IP Cyrus Kanyi, who sustained a deep cut on his upper arm. Others suffered
soft tissue injuries, bruises, and swelling.
Vehicles belonging to police and civilians were also damaged
during the chaos, including three police vehicles and two private cars with
shattered windscreens and dents.
Police reported two unidentified civilian fatalities, while
five civilians were admitted to Karatina District Hospital with suspected
gunshot wounds. Investigations into the civilian casualties are ongoing.
MP Eric Wamumbi, a known ally of President William Ruto, has
in recent months faced opposition in his constituency, following his role in
the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who hails from
Mathira.
Security was later restored by 8:30 p.m., but tension
remains high across Karatina town and surrounding areas.
