Locals, police clash over Assembly row
Chaos broke out in Nyamira town yesterday when angry youths engaged police in running battles following attempts to have the Assembly closed down over the wrangles that have rocked the institution for the last two months.
Police, led by Nyamira ward commander (OCS) Susura Mohammed were forced to use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the irate youths.
At 6am, the more than 400 youths had erected huge stones and lit bonfire at the main entrance of the Assembly to block the Speaker and the MCAs from accessing the facility.
Assembly security officers had to be called in to assist police officers who had started engaging the swelling crowds in running battles.
The youths sung songs denouncing the Speaker Mofat Teya and vowed not to rest until the Assembly is dissolved.
Members of the Assembly have been fighting on the floor of the House over formation of House Business Committees and the rejection of James Gesami as the nominee for the deputy governor’s position.
Businesses in the town were closed down as police hunted for the youths, who were causing mayhem around the Assembly.
Police also erected roadblocks in all major roads entering the town to block unauthorised persons from accessing the Assembly.
Nyamira county government staff who did not have official’s identification cards were also not allowed to access their offices located in the town centre.
Lawmakers criticised
Despite the chaos, Teya and MCAs managed to access the Assembly but under tight security.
Speaking to the press, Teya accused some politicians of using youths to cause chaos in the Assembly.
“I urge the youth to stop being used by some politicians to cause chaos. Why are their children not here protesting? he asked.
Magombo MCA Richard Onyinkwa termed the incident as unfortunate and vowed to resist attempts by area MPs to manipulate operations and decisions of the Assembly.
“The leaders should allow leaders to , 2022 politics should not come to play at all here,” stated Onyinkwa.
Speaking to People Daily, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo condemned the incident, saying it will chase away investors.
He petitioned the Speaker to suspend the Assembly activities for one week to establish the root cause of the problem and the way forward.
