By James Ratemo

The Government has ordered riot police and the General Service Unit officers to immediately withdraw from a disputed plot at the centre of protests in downtown Nairobi.

Internal Security Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode said the police would keep off the plot to allow calm return as Government explores an amicable solution on the matter.

Over the past week there has been running battles on Kirinyaga Road and around Globe Cinema in the vicinity of the disputed plot reported to have been bought by Jamia Mosque.

Assistant Housing Minister who is also the area MP, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, visited the area on Thursday morning to calm down the protesting mechanics and to pass the Government’s message.

Wanjiru stood her ground urging the mechanics not to budge from the fight to keep the Jamia Mosque trustees from taking over the land.

Ojode said his ministry would issue a ministerial statement on the situation on Thursday in Parliament.