Two Nakuru MCAs arrested over incitement allegations
Two Nakuru MCAs spent the night behind bars on March 20, 2018 after they were arrested over incitement allegations. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The two MCAs and nine other people were accused of trying to incite residents to turn against each another.
- Police said they recovered machetes from them.
Two Nakuru ward representatives spent Tuesday night behind bars after they were arrested over incitement allegations.
Biashara MCA Peter Njoroge alias 'Wanyaguthie' (Jubilee) and his Kivumbini counterpart Wilbur Onyango of ODM were arrested on allegations of inciting a group of youth to evict squatters from Ampiva Farm in Bahati Sub-County.
EVICTION
Police said the two would be arraigned in court on Wednesday.
According to Nakuru North OCPD Edward Barasa, the two were leading the youth to force out squatters from the land.
The OCPD confirmed that nine other people, who were alleged to have participated in the planned eviction, were also arrested.
Police said the group was suspected to be behind the incitement leaflets within Subukia, Bahati and Solai trading centre, which warned certain communities to leave the area.
The leaflets were distributed a few days ago.
INCITEMENT
According to Mr Barasa, the youth were holding placards with words indicating that any person who was a non-member of a certain community should leave the area.
They were arrested by police officers who were acting on a tip-off from members of the public.
police were informed that some people were holding illegal meetings at Ampiva Farm in Bahati.
“We managed to arrest two MCAs and nine other people who were trying to incite the residents to turn against each another," said Mr Barasa.
While confirming the arrests, the OCPD said police recovered machetes from the group.
SQUATTERS
Area MP Kimani Ngunjiri condemned the incident and criticised the MCAs on trying to disrupt peace in his area.
Mr Ngunjiri expressed his disappointment with the two legislators from Nakuru Town East Sub-County and questioned what their interest was in his area.
"What were the two MCAs doing in my area without my knowledge, and what did they want to use the machetes for?
“It is very shameful for leaders to resort to such unlawful means," said Mr Ngunjiri.
The MP explained that the land, which has been at the centre of a legal battle over its ownership, has for years been occupied by squatters from various communities.
