- MPs across the county joined protesters in Chuka town to revolt the killing of Bodaboda association Chairman Mr Willis Mugambi.
- They insisted on the summoning of a particular officer at the Chuka station who they alleged to be the mastermind behind the chairman’s shooting.
- Anti-riot police have since been deployed in the conflict-torn municipality in anticipation of yet another day of protests.
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Tension continues to gather pace in Chuka town, Tharaka Nithi county after MPs joined protesters to revolt the killing of bodaboda Operators Association Chairman Willis Kiraku Mugambi, who was shot during some earlier riots that were demanding justice for a young man alleged to have been killed by county officials.
Members of the county assembly including Chuka Igamba Ngombe MP Patrick Munene and Maara constituencies’ Kareke Mpiuki joined the angry residents in a revolt yesterday at Chuka town saying they would even go further to unite with the residents in torching down the Chuka police station, if justice continued to be delayed.
They demanded that a particular officer from the neighboring Embu county, who was a senior officer at the Chuka police station be summoned latest by Tuesday, lest they took the law into their own hands.
The Chuka Igamba Ngombe MP who expressed his utmost dismay at the untimely death of Kiraku, said they would not relent until all the involved culprits were brought into book.
Chuka IgambaNg’ombe MP Patrick Munene addressing protesters at Chuka town on Sunday April 9 2023. Photo/Facebook.
Maara Member of parliament Kareke Mpiuki said the culprits were well known as their was the evidence of a video footage under which the deceased called out names of his killers, shortly before he died at the Chuka level five hospital. The four-term Member of Parliament further said they had documented all the important proof and would compel police officers to deliver the much needed justice.
“We’ve heard and noted the circumstances that surrounded Mutembei’s death. They are well known people and given the fact that Mutembei was captured in a video calling out their names, we hope justice will be served as fast” Kareke said.
Tharaka Nithi county leaders addressing angry residents at Chuka town. Photo/Facebook
However, area residents who still seemed disgruntled, hopped in jubilation when the Chuka IgambaNgombe MP hinted at the possibility of torching down the Chuka police station.
Anti-riot police have since been deployed in the conflict-torn municipality in anticipation of yet another day of protests following this killing, which was the second one in weeks.
Drama first ensued in Chuka town on Saturday after a mob barricaded Meru-Nairobi Highway using stones and a casket containing a body. The residents of Nkwego village were demanding the arrest of the killers of resident Daniel Mutembei, whose body was in the coffin.
Mutembei was reportedly murdered last month by five people well known to the residents. The residents, among them Chuka town boda boda operators, demanded the arrest of the killers for the sake of justice for Mutembei.
Karingani Ward MCA Muriithi Gaturo addressing residents shortly after the deadly protests.
Photo|Facebook
It was while police dispersed these demonstrators that the association chair was shot dead, the local television broadcasting channel Weru said.
He was shot in the chest at around 7pm, and died at the scene, an event which sparked a night battle between police and boda boda operators. The body remained at the scene for hours
The standoff caused a huge traffic jam with travelers spending the whole night on the road.
On Sunday morning, hundreds of police officers dressed in anti-riot gear unblocked the highway to allow movement of vehicles and protect commuters against attack.
It was later on learnt that the troops of police officers sent to the war-torn town were mobilized from Tharaka Nithi and the neighboring Meru and Embu counties after receiving intelligence that the boda boda operators were strategizing how to battle police for the second day.
In a statement shared on his social media pages on Saturday evening, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki who hails from the county said he had dispatched investigators to probe the two killings.
CS Kindiki urged the residents to remain calm, assuring them of thorough investigations and the prosecution of those found culpable of the deaths.
The CS told the families of the deceased and the community to allow investigations that he said would be impartial.
Other county leaders including Woman Representative Susan Ngugi, Members of Parliament for Tharaka constituency Gitonga Murugara and the County Assembly Speaker John Mbabu, condemned the murders and asked for thorough investigations and the prosecution of the killers.
Governor Njuki said: “If only it was a natural death, it would be easy for us to find peace, but the police who are responsible for protecting our lives and property have once more turned against us. One bullet couldn’t have been fired by more than one gun.”
He asked the police to ensure the criminals behind the killings face the law.
