Demonstrations against the increased price of sand continued on Tuesday in Mai Mahiu despite the shooting to death of a man on Monday night.
The body was found near Mafuta Taa centre off the Mai Mahiu-Narok road as the demonstrations entered the second day. It was not clear who shot the man; police denied involvement.
Transport into and out of town was disrupted; many businesses closed because of looting. Youths attacked motorists stranded on Monday night.
Traders and harvesters have demonstrated against the doubled price of sand.
James Kuria, a protest leader, said the victim was shot in the armpit on Monday evening and he bled to death.
He blamed police who for most of Monday fought running battles with demonstrators around the trading centre.
“We have lost one man after he was shot by police and we are seeking justice for his death and the arrest of the killers,” Kuria said.
He said for years they have been buying sand from farms in the area. Then the management of the Kedong Ranch raised the price of sand. It owns vast parcels of land.
“As a result, we are forced to pay to the community at the source and pay Kedong Ranch another Sh1,500 per lorry at the gate. We are opposed to the double charges,” he said.
Ranch spokesman James Karimi accused the traders of misusing the youths to demonstrate and harass innocent members of the public. He said they were free to buy the sand in other towns where the prices were lower.
“It's true Kedong has started charging for sand collected from their farm and this is a free trade of willing-seller, willing-buyer,” he said.
Naivasha police boss Samuel Waweru said on the phone one man was killed by an unidentified person or persons.
Waweru said police were investigating, adding that innocent traders had been attacked by armed youths.
“We have recovered the body of a middle-aged man along the road and we are not sure who killed him but we are investigating," he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
