Kindiki’s Ultimatum Amidst Ongoing Protests: Kericho and Bomet Rally for Day Two
Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki was compelled to act on May 24 after riots in Kericho and Bomet Counties intensified for a second day.
The CS revealed in a strongly worded statement that the government would not stand by as the region descended into anarchy.
Kindiki was speaking after residents destroyed incalculably valuable property by torching tea plucking machines.
We will not tolerate anyone taking the law into his or her own hands. The destruction and theft of property cannot continue, the CS stated.
The CS also disclosed that additional officers will be dispatched to the affected areas to contain the situation.
“We have ordered the regional security and intelligence team in Rift Valley to set up camp in the South Rift until the situation is permanently contained,” he stated.
Kindiki disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that local politicians and business leaders were responsible for the disorderly scenes witnessed.
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The destruction of property on the tea plantations had already led to the arrest of twenty-four individuals.
Residents protested the continued use of tea-plucking machines because they were losing their jobs.
Kindiki held a meeting behind closed doors with tea estate representatives, local political leaders, and religious leaders to restore normalcy.
Senator Aaron Cheruiyot of Kericho urged residents to remain calm while leaders work on a permanent solution.
Senator to protestors: “While we continue to deliberate on the issues you’ve raised, you must stop destroying people’s property.”
Ekaterra Tea Company ceased operations permanently on Tuesday, May 23, after irate locals attacked two of its estates and torched tea plucking machines.
Kindiki’s Ultimatum Amidst Ongoing Protests: Kericho and Bomet Rally for Day Two
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