Kenya: Hunter becomes the hunted as protesters torch fire engine

A police officer helplessly watches a Nakuru County fire engine go up in flames after being torched by angry protestors at Salgaa town,Nakuru County along the busy Nakuru- Eldoret highway.The protestors were demonstrating over poor drainage in Nakuru Town,lack of streetlights and poor road network,carrying placards and chanting anti-Nakuru county governor Kinuthia Mbugua slogan the demonstrators barricaded the road causing a huge traffic snarl up. Police officers were forced to use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse them. (PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH)

Residents of Salgaa town felt the wrath of the dreaded General Service Unit officers who descended on them as they staged a day-long demonstration.

The officers, in two buses, are said to have been on their way to western Kenya when they encountered the residents who had blocked the busy Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

In an effort to make way, the officers disembarked from the vehicles and fired several bullets in the air as they beat up the protestors.

Determined to punish the protestors, the dreaded officers pursued their victims inside shops where they broke glass windows and dropped teargas canisters before embarking on their journey.

Scores of protesters were left nursing injuries. And in a move to avenge the beating, the residents protesting against what they termed as neglect by Governor Kinuthia Mbugua torched the only county fire fighting engine.

It was not clear where the Sh40 million-worth engine was heading to when the demonstrators pounced on it, bundled out the driver, beat him up and burnt and reduced it to ashes.

The residents had engaged the anti-riot police in running battles for the better part of the morning before the GSU officers arrived. They had clearly overpowered the anti-riot officers.

Overpowered officers

The demonstrators used huge boulders, trees and poles to block the road. They also used heavy logs to seal off the Salgaa-Rongai road, a few metres from the main highway.

Motorists plying the highway were forced to pull over, while others decided to use alternative routes through Eldama Ravine and Molo towns to escape the chaos.

County Police Commandant, Hassan Barua, and the few anti-riot officers from Menengai police station were reduced to spectators after they were overwhelmed and had to follow the events as they unfolded from a safe distance.

Former Nakuru County Council Chairman Joshua Cheruiyot led the residents in accusing Mr Mbugua of applying double standard in the sharing of the county resources.

Among issues they wanted addressed include installation of security street lights, improvement of drainage system and proper maintenance of Salgaa trucks' parking bay.

"For how long will our children suffer from mosquito infection because of stagnant water, hotels shut, as well as other business premises for the county to act?" asked Barnabas Rotich, a resident.

He said although they remit tax, business operators are faced with insecurity.

"A public toilet should be established in this town. Hundreds of truck drivers and other motorists stop here to eat or spend the night but it's interesting to note that such a facility has not been considered," said Jocob Wachira, a resident.

According to Mr Wachira, a contractor hired to repair the parking bay used clay soil making many trucks to get stuck in the foot-sucking mud for several days.

At some point, private, public service and ambulances were allowed to proceed but after being subjected to fiery lecture by the twig waving demonstrators.

They threatened to stage more protests until their grievances are addressed by the governor.