Our lives are in danger for leading protests, two Kiambu MPs claim

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa (second left) and Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a at the Thika police headquarters. [PHOTO: KAMAU MAICHUHIE/STANDARD]

Two MPs from Kiambu county have raised fears that their lives are in danger for leading traders and residents to forcibly re-open Madaraka market in Thika town.

The market was closed by the county government over a rates payment dispute.

Speaking after recording a statement at the Thika Police Station yesterday, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a and her Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichung’wa alleged some people, whom they declined to name, were out to eliminate them for leading the protests to re-open the market.

“During the mayhem on Saturday, I clearly heard a person in civilian clothes order a police officer to finish me but he declined and instead lobbed teargas canisters at me,” said Ms Ng’ang’a.

She also claimed to have overheard some people saying if she were eliminated, the disputes would end.

Ng’ang’a, however, said no amount of intimidation or threats would deter her from championing the rights of the people she represents.

Mr Ichungw’a, whose vehicle was sprayed with bullets that shattered the windows, called on the Government to investigate the incident and bring the people, who he alleged were after their lives, to book.

Kills

“This is a very serious matter. We will not rest until we find out who the people wanting us eliminated are. Also, on whose orders were the police acting when they used live bullets on us?” said Ichung’wa.

The legislators called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and the acting Inspector General of Police Samuel Arachi to give them more security because they no longer felt safe.

Before recording the statements, the MPs visited Alice Koki, who was shot by a stray bullet during the disturbance at St Mulumba Hospital.

Ng’ang’a noted that she recognised Ms Koki as the woman who had stood next to her during the demonstration.

“It seems the shooter was aiming at me but missed and injured Koki, who is a trader at the market. My life is in danger and I want the Government to protect me,” she said.

They vowed to petition the Inspector General in Parliament to explain why live bullets were used to disperse unarmed civilians and elected leaders.

However, County Public Service and Internal Administration Executive Dominic Gicheru blamed the MPs for the chaos.

Mr Gicheru alleged the two incited the traders and provided them with weapons to attack the police and county officials so they could claim their lives were in danger.