Normalcy resumes in Machakos after violent Tuesday demos

Machakos County experienced normalcy on Thursday days after the national anti-government demonstrations on Tuesday.

All parts of Machakos County remained calm with heavy police presence in some areas including critical installations, major towns and shopping centres.

Kenyans plying the busy Nairobi–Mombasa Highway went through their businesses uninterrupted as opposed to Tuesday and Wednesday when there were disruptions in traffic by anti-government protesters and aggrieved bodaboda operators respectively.

A spot check by the Star on Thursday established that the entire highway was under police surveillance from the junction of Nairobi’s Uhuru highway to Makutano Junction in Machakos County.

Tens of police officers also camped at the Nairobi Expressway’s entrance and exit in Mlolongo Mlolongo town with a senior cop stating it was a proactive measures strategy.

The heavily armed officers in anti-riot gear kept vigil and watch on vehicles using the expressway as well as ensuring no security breach not only in Mlolongo but also in its environs.

Traders in towns like Mlolongo, Athi River, Syokimau, Kyumbi and Machakos operated their businesses without fear as opposed to Wednesday when the majority of them closed shops for fear of being attacked by the demonstrators.

They no longer armed tens of youths to counter-demonstrators as was the case on Tuesday.

There has been uncertainty in some of the towns since the demonstrations took effect weeks back especially after deaths, destruction of property, looting and injuries were reported especially in Mlolongo, Machakos and Kitengela towns.

A trader earlier reported losing more than Sh10 million worth of liquor among other valuables after her club and liquor store were broken into and looted in Mlolongo Town during the demonstrations.

Two people were killed during Tuesday’s anti-government demonstrations in Mlolongo while at least five motorcycles belonging to bodaboda operators were torched too, an incident that led to the latter holding demonstrations within the town on Wednesday.

They barricaded a section of the Mombasa road thereby disrupting traffic and prompting police officers to disperse them by firing teargas canisters.

Elsewhere in Emali and Kibwezi towns of Makueni County, demonstrators engaged police officers in running battles for the better part of the day.

One person was reportedly injured at Emali during the protests. The demonstrators barricaded Mombasa highway at Emali town thereby disrupting transport on it for the better part of the day.

Two people were on Tuesday shot dead by police officers in Kibwezi town during the anti-government demonstrations.

Demonstrations in Makueni on Thursday went on despite their ban in Nairobi Central Business District and its environs by acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Wednesday.

“While the Constitution under Article 37 provides for the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, picket, demonstrate and present petitions to public authorities, the Constitution equally provides for the critical role that the National Police Service plays in the national security of our country,” Kanja stated in a press release dated July 17, 2024, and circulated to newsrooms.

“In keeping with our Constitutional role and in the interest of national security, we wish to inform the public that we have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks including looting. Acting on this information and in accordance with international security standards for public assemblies, which require a designated leader to coordinate, collaborate and cooperate with police for peaceful demonstrations, the lack of designated leadership in previous demonstrations has made it difficult to enforce safety protocols.”

“As a result, no demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety,” he added.

The Kenya High Court sitting in Nairobi on Thursday, however, suspended the order until a case filed by a public interest litigation group was heard and determined.