Mounting Anti-Govt Protests Shake DP Gachagua’s Stronghold
Protests shook the ground In the backyard of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s home on Mt Kenya, public service vehicle (PSV) operators joined residents who are dissatisfied with the high cost of travel to protest a directive to re-test drivers.
In Nanyuki, Laikipia County, PSV personnel halted operations in opposition to a government directive to retest drivers. In the city of Nyahururu, former governor Ndiritu Muriithi led protests.
Former Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, Azimio luminary Martha Karua, and embattled Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni clashed with police at Meru’s Muthara market as they attempted to address the gathering.
Earlier, anti-riot police barricaded the entrance to Gatimene Gardens, where the leaders hid before heading to the protests with security in close pursuit.
In the municipality of Murang’a, Azimio leaders collected signatures as a vote of no confidence in the government of President William Ruto.
PSV operators in the cities of Nyeri and Nanyuki protested the Transport ministry’s new regulations and forced coworkers who did not participate in the demonstrations to cease working.
It was the first time since the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government came to power that residents of Mount Kenya turned out in large numbers to demonstrate against it, with only Kirinyaga and Laikipia counties participating in opposition demonstrations last week.
Wednesday, protesters in Nyeri attempted to obstruct the busy Nyeri-Karatina highway by torching tires, but anti-riot police dispersed them. Passengers were stranded at the three major bus terminals for the majority of the day as services were rendered inoperable.
“I have been a driver for ten years, but they want me to attend a refresher course overseen by the National Transportation and Safety Administration (NTSA). Mr. Evans Mwangi stated that these courses should be taken by drivers who have been captured violating traffic laws.
“(Kipchumba) Murkomen, Cabinet Secretary, must resign because he does not comprehend the situation on the ground. His chauffeur must also step down and complete this training. We need a long-term solution, and we will not adhere to these guidelines,” he added.
However, other enterprises in the towns of Nyeri and Nanyuki were thriving.
Due to a dearth of transportation, Ms. Elizabeth Wangechi, a greengrocer, walked from the Ruring’u settlement to Nyeri town.
“Today is market day, and I must purchase food at the Kamukunji market in Nyeri.” Due to the elevated cost of living, I lack sufficient funds to purchase a boda boda. Ms. Wangechi told GossipA2Z, “I pray that the strike will end.”
Dozens of protesters blocked the Embu-Kutus road at Gathoge, demanding the resignation of President William Ruto, heightening tensions in Kirinyaga County, a region seen as a stronghold for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In the early morning, the protesters flooded the streets and marched towards the Piai market. They complained about the high expense of living and ineffective administration.
When they reached the Gathoge market, however, they erected a human roadblock and pledged to keep protesting until their demands were met.
One of the protesters yelled, “We are suffering because the price of maize flour and other food items is so high.”
The protesters, who claimed to have faith in the leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, Mr. Raila Odinga, and his deputy, Ms. Martha Karua, stated that President Ruto had failed to revive the economy and reduce the cost of living and that he should go home.
They accused the President of lying to Kenyans during his presidential campaign.
“Dr. Ruto promised to improve the lives of Kenyans; we now know this to be a lie.” Everyone is confronting so many problems, and we have had enough!” yelled a second protester.
In the county of Tharaka-Nithi, public transportation continued as usual.
Wanja Karuku, chairman of Meru Nissan Sacco, told the media that the strike was unnecessary because they had not exhausted dialogue. She stated that the government was responsible for the rise in road fatalities in the country.
She claimed that the NTSA has been registering saccos for rogue PSV operators without conducting due diligence and that owners of PSV vehicles who are expelled from saccos due to indiscipline are regrouping, registering new saccos, and engaging in unlawful activities on the roads without consequence.
Ms. Karuku stated, “On the Meru-Nairobi highway, we have registered PSV Saccos with as few as five vehicles.” She added that substance and drug addiction are also to blame for road accidents, citing the fact that many drivers smoke bhang.
She stated that some saccos do not provide renewal courses for their drivers, while others hire drivers who have never attended driving school. Ms. Karuku also attributed road accidents to the increasing depressiveness of motorists.
She observed that many chauffeurs had become depressed due to domestic issues and the poor economy. John Kiarie, a representative for Dagoretti South, and Geoffrey Wandeto, a representative for Tetu, condemned the Azimio protests as “a plot to paralyze the operations of the Kenya Kwanza government.”
“We have advised the citizens of Azimio to address their grievances in parliament rather than disrupting the peace by taking to the streets.” Whenever we discuss important issues in the legislature, they always conceal in the restrooms. They are the same individuals who reappear in the villages to mislead Kenyans, Mr. Kiarie stated in Nyeri.
Mr. Wandeto urged the opposition to allow President Ruto to govern the country and to cease creating disorder.
“Every time these protests occur, our country loses billions of naira. These individuals ought to be preparing for the next national election, as stated by Mr. Wandeto.
Mounting Anti-Govt Protests Shake DP Gachagua’s Stronghold
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