Demos as miraa trader, mechanics clash in Maua

A Toyota land Cruiser vehicle belonging to a miraa trader In Maua Town, Meru had its windscreen smashed following a disagreement between the trader and mechanics. The trader allegedly doused a mechanic in petrol and attempted to burn him. Irate members of the public staged demonstrations. PHOTO | DICKSON MWITI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Members of the public from the Meru community claimed that a Somali miraa businessman had attempted to kill a mechanic.
  • A disagreement ensued after the mechanic was tasked to repair the trader's vehicle.
  • The owner of the vehicle then allegedly splashed petrol on the mechanic and attempted to burn him.
  • The injured mechanic was rushed to Maua Methodist Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

Business activities came to a standstill in Maua Town, Meru County following a clash between a miraa trader and mechanics.

There were demonstrations along Gachiongo Street for the better part of the day on Friday by members of the public from the Meru community who claimed that a Somali miraa businessman had attempted to kill a mechanic.

It was claimed that the mechanic was given the task of repairing the businessman’s vehicle but later on a disagreement ensued between him and the businessman.

The owner of the vehicle then allegedly splashed petrol on the mechanic who was identified as Mr Muriki and attempted to burn him.

The mechanic was reported to have sustained burn injuries all over his body.

Members of the public demonstrate in Maua Town Friday after a miraa trader allegedly attempted to burn a mechanic following a disagreement. PHOTO | DICKSON MWITI

RUSHED TO HOSPITAL

He was later rushed to the Maua Methodist Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.

Consequently, fellow mechanics and other members of public from started demonstrating against the action.

Armed police officers from Maua Police Station immediately intervened and had a hard time trying to control the crowd who were angered by the businessman’s action.

The officers were forced to shoot in the air several times in order to disperse the crowd who had started throwing stones.

The windscreens of the Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle which was the cause of the disagreement shattered with the crowd even attempting to set it on fire in revenge.

Police officers intervene after a clash between a miraa trader and mechanics in Maua Town. PHOTO | DICKSON MWITI

CONDEMNED ACT

Nominated Member of Meru County Assembly Ms Dolphine Kagwiria condemned the act saying that dialogue between the two parties could have solved the problem.

She said that it was important for the two communities to live peacefully in Maua since they depended on one another in several ways.

“I want to condemn the action that took place this morning since that was not the best way to solve issues.

“The two parties could have tried to solve the issue amicably than the way we have witnessed which would be of much benefit to all.

“I would call upon all the communities living in Maua to co-exist peacefully,” she said.

The Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle that was the cause of the disagreement between the mechanics and a miraa trader. PHOTO | DICKSON MWITI