Charcoal trade turns into costly national affair

When Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu outlawed charcoal trade in her county, her intentions were to conserve the environment by stopping the felling of trees.

However, what followed her directive is what has put her on a collision course with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and sparked fury among charcoal dealers who are determined to do anything to have her arrested and their business continue.

This is after one of their lorries, which was ferrying charcoal in Kitui, was burnt by people, who the dealers claim were acting on her orders, and were led by county government officials. 

PROTESTS

The burning of the lorry belonging to Mr David Kariuki took place at Kanyonyoo in Kitui on February 8. Transporters blame Ms Ngilu.

The transporters, mainly from Limuru in Kiambu County, have been demanding that the governor be arrested and compelled to compensate the owner for the lorry and the charcoal burnt.

On Monday last week, the transporters, who have staged three previous protests to demand Ms Ngilu’s arrest, organised protesters who deflated the tyres of more than 100 vehicles in Limuru, paralysing transport between Nairobi and Nakuru for hours.

TRANSPORT

The protest started around 7am. Motorists using the Ruaka-Limuru Road, Nairobi-Nakuru highway and Maai-Mahiu road were affected.  

Mr Joseph Kariuki, the driver of the lorry that was burnt, said he was arrested and detained on Ms Ngilu’s order, and it was while in custody that he received information that the lorry had been burnt.b

“When I met her (on the way) she ordered that I be taken to the police station. They took over the lorry but they were unable to drive it.

"Later I was told that, around 8pm, some county officers with the backing of the residents poured petrol in the lorry’s cabin, lit it on fire and left,” he said.

He added that the charcoal was not from Kitui.

INCITE

But what has angered transporters is a short video that was circulated on social media, in which Ms Ngilu is reportedly telling Kitui people to burn vehicles ferrying charcoal. 

“…and those lorries, if you want to burn them do so and call me. If someone is coming to kill you, kill them first.

"These people are out to kill us, we shall kill them before they do it. Their lorries, their charcoal will be left here, are we in agreement”? Ms Ngilu is heard saying.

The governor, who appeared before the Francis Kaparo-led NCIC on Monday, denied inciting residents, claiming the video was edited.

“This is the kind of misinformation and propaganda that criminal cartels use in order to discredit leaders and institutions that dare to stand up on them,” she said, adding her efforts were not targeting any community.

INVESTIGATION

Meanwhile, the county assemblies of Kitui and Makueni unanimously passed motions asking authorities to speed up investigation and prosecution of the composers of the song portraying the local community in bad light.

The video is the latest political twist to the charcoal ban imposed by Governor Ngilu in January.

Local leaders have been piling pressure on the government to act on the composers of the song containing inflammatory lyrics.

The two Houses set aside their routine businesses to debate the motions on Wednesday afternoon.

HATE-MONGERING

Speakers George Ndotto (Kitui) and Douglas Mbilu (Makueni) presided over the stormy sessions. Members condemned the producers as hate mongers.

The motion was moved by majority leaders who are members of the Wiper Party, and approved by MCAs from both sides of the Houses.

The MCAs urged the NCIC and police to speed up investigations into the video.

“Action must be taken against the musicians,” Mr Kasee Musya, the Kitui Deputy Speaker, said.

The passing of the Motions does not however compel authorities to act.

The NCIC said it launched investigations into the provocative song after Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr and other leaders demanded action against the composers.