Calm returns to Narok after two-day demo

Narok North residents block the Nakuru-Njoro-Narok road at Emengeita trading centre on January 29, 2015. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |

What you need to know:

  • Narok Traders Association chairman David ole Sankok says members lost close to Sh50 million.

An uneasy calm returned to Narok Town on Friday after two days of riots. A man died in the demonstrations against Governor Samuel Tunai.

County Commissioner Farah Kassim said the demos did not affect activities at the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

Narok-Nakuru road was blocked at Rotian, Enengetia and Tipis Townships while the Narok-Mai Mahiu-Nairobi road was blocked at Ntulele and Suswa.

The blockade made motorists heading to western Kenya and Nyanza region to use the traditional Nairobi-Nakuru-Kisumu and Nakuru-Eldoret routes.

PERISHABLE GOODS

Mobs also barricaded the road leading to the game reserve at Ewuaso Ng’iro Trading Centre. They had sworn to sabotage all economic activities in the county.

“Visitors flying out of the country did not have problems because the tour companies arranged for them to be flown to Nairobi,” Mr Kassim said.

Narok Traders Association chairman David ole Sankok said members lost close to Sh50 million. “Those selling perishable goods were the most affected,” he said.

At the same time, Law Society of Kenya Narok branch chairman Charles Sena demanded the prosecution of police officers who used live bullets.

Senator Stephen Ntutu and MPs Moitalel ole Kenta, Johanah Ng’eno, Korei Lememei and Patrick Ntutu have since been charged and released on Sh500,000 personal bonds.