Nakuru MP in court over incitement of traders

Nakuru East Member of Parliament David Gikaria has been arraigned before a Nakuru court and charged with denying Nakuru County its revenue.

The first time MP was accused alongside Biashara Ward Member of the County Assembly Stephen Kuria and four others for allegedly inciting traders against the County Government.

According to the prosecution, the six on June 4 and 5 at Nakuru wholesale market incited traders not to pay daily market fee amounting to sh100, 000.

They jointly faced the second count of allegedly inciting the traders to destroy two Market gates amounting to Sh80, 000 the same day.

The others were, Daniel Mwangi, Christopher Kinata, George Kangelo and Joseph Kibe.

The accused while appearing before resident magistrate Mary Otieno denied committing the ofence and were released on a bond of Sh50, 000 each with a surety of a similar amount until August 1 when the case will be heard.

The prosecution told the court that the act was against Municipal Council Nakuru public market by laws of 2004 and punishable under section 24 of the same by laws.

Last week, the MCA was arraigned in court and charged with creating disturbance by throwing stones at police officers.

The Biashara ward MCA was arrested with 28 other people in Nakuru town after allegedly throwing stones at two police officers during a demonstration held on June 4.

Kuria was accused of leading more than 100 small-scale traders in demonstrating against the demolition of their business structures in Nakuru town. More than 50 kiosks located at Eveready, along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway, were demolished by the county Government askaris.

In court, Gikaria and the six traders were represented by lawyer Steve Kabita who applied for his clients to be admitted to bond pending hearing and determination of the case.
The demolitions, which elicited the fierce protests, came a few days after Governor Kinuthia Mbugua said there was need to keep Nakuru clean.

Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama also joined hawkers in protesting against the governor's directive to demolish their stalls.