Puzzle of unknown youths 'hired' to protest in Mt Kenya

Anti-riot police officers remove barricades erected by protesters along the Kenol-Sagana highway

Residents of parts of the Mt Kenya region on Monday expressed concerns that the nationwide Saba Saba protests were hijacked.

In Murang’a town, locals told the Star that busloads of foreign youths travelled to the town on Sunday evening and were seen loitering on the streets all day long.

The alien youths caused tension as locals closed down their shops in anticipation of vigorous protests.

Samuel Njuguna, a boda boda operator, said the influx of youths in the town had caused apprehension, sparking concerns that they had been facilitated to cause chaos in the town.

“I have seen very many strange faces today. They are strolling all over the town conversing in unfamiliar dialects,” Njuguna said.

Though the town was calm in the morning, Njuguna and other residents went home, not wanting to get involved in any confrontations.

“I have gone for my two children who had gone to school, and then I’ll head right back home. I’ll look for more money tomorrow,” he added.

Some residents stayed in the town but said they did so out of curiosity, as they were eager to see if any protests would be held.

Peter Njoroge, a fruit vendor, was concerned that his stall would be looted by youths in the event of protests and also be closed down.

“I’ve seen them moving around since morning, and I’m not willing to risk my business, especially since the protests held last month started in the evening and got chaotic,” Njoroge said, referring to the protests held against police brutality on June 25.

Residents were right to be apprehensive, as the youths started blowing whistles and walked from the town to Mukuyu market, which is about two kilometres away. 

Despite the heavy police presence, the youths converged and erected barricades along the streets where they lit bonfires. 

A police helicopter landed at Ihura Stadium at 5pm to provide extra supplies to security teams amid heightened confrontations with the youths.

Boda boda operators had converged near County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha’s office, where he addressed them, asking them to assist the security team in identifying the foreigners.

“We’re investigating reports that there are youths who travelled from other towns, and appropriate action will be taken,” he said, asking the operators to retire to their homes.

Nkanatha, who is also the acting central regional commissioner, said stern action will be taken against any individuals found to have ferried people into local towns for the chaotic protests.

The protesters engaged the police for hours on Monday night, and the sound of teargas canisters being lobbed resounded as late as 2am.

In Kangema town, residents were taken aback when protesters took to the streets and lit bonfires at 7pm after a calm day.

During the protests, youths looted construction materials meant for Gakira modern market, with reports indicating that two sustained gunshot injuries.

The protests lasted for hours and brought the busy town to a standstill, as residents, who are not accustomed to demonstrations, scrambled to safety.

In Kabati town along the Kenol-Thika highway, unfamiliar youths lit bonfires at 9am, before proceeding to loot a mobile phone shop.

Attempts by the police to stop them from looting the County Supermarket were unsuccessful as they were overpowered.

The officers retreated, and the youths made away with commodities, as residents watched in disbelief.

David Kimani, a boda boda operator, said he was alarmed that the perpetrators were unfamiliar faces.

“As boda boda operators, we know everybody. I was astonished that I couldn’t identify any of them,” he said, adding that residents chose to keep their distance.

A similar predicament faced residents of Kenol town when unfamiliar youths engaged police officers in running battles as they attempted to loot another branch of County Supermarket.

The youths eventually succeeded, and the security team was forced to send reinforcements due to their swollen numbers as they had blocked the busy Kenol-Sagana highway.

In Kirinyaga County, another branch of County Supermarket was looted amid confrontations with the police. The youths also vandalised Nice Digital City at Mwea before being repelled by security officers.

Joseph Njuguna, a resident, stated that scores of youths arrived in the town on Sunday night, and only a few locals participated in the protests.

“These towns are not that big. Most people know each other. How do you join a protest full of people that you don’t know? Why vandalise a business where you go to relax after work?” he posed.

In Embu, one person was killed in the chaotic protests at Kiritiri, while two others are reported to have been shot dead in Nyeri town. In both areas, residents claimed the participants were not known to locals.