Anti-Kidero Mumias demo briefly disrupted

Members of Parliament Benjamin Washiali Mumias (in white shirt) and Boniface Otsiula of Bumula (in green top)) and farmers demonstrate in Mumias on Thursday to agitate for the arrest of all the former managers of Mumias Sugar Company who embezzled the funds leading to it almost collapsing. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD)

KAKAMEGA: Chaos erupted during a demonstration organised by MPs in Kakamega County to push for the arrest of Nairobi Governor Evans over his role in the near collapse of the Mumias Sugar Company after a group of youth and a ward rep attempted to disrupt it.

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, his Bumula counterpart Boniface Otsiula and former Mumias MP Wycliffe Osundwa were leading local residents to present a petition for the governor's arrest at Mumias Deputy County Commissioner Francis Komen's office when a group led by Mayoni Ward Rep Lubinus Oduor and ODM National Youth Leader Rashid Mohammed tried to hijack it.

The ward rep allegedly grabbed the microphone from Mr Washiali and attempted to speak against the agenda of the demonstration prompting the chaos.

IMMEDIATE ARREST

The MP grabbed the microphone back but was hit by Mr Oduor. A scuffle involving Washiali, the MCA and Mr Mohammed ensued and quickly degenerated to a free-for-all drama before police intervened.

Mohammed was subsequently arrested by police officers led by Mumias sub-county AP commandant Robinson Ndiwa.

The MPs and their supporters were agitating for the immediate arrest Dr Kidero for alleged embezzlement of millions of shillings belonging to Mumias Sugar Company when he was the company's managing director.

They called on the Government to implement the KPML forensic report and arrest the former MD and other managers mentioned for perpetuating corruption that has led to the near collapse of the giant sugar firm.

Police had to fire in the air to disperse the angry crowd that descended on the ward rep with all manner of crude weapons after he disrupted the ceremony.

Mr Komen condemned the incident saying a few hired youth and individuals would not be allowed to disrupt a legal demonstration.

"We have arrested one man and we are pursuing his accomplices who came here to cause chaos," he said.

After the brief disruption, the demonstration that started at Shianda market in Mumias East continued up to Mayoni market, some 40 kilometres away where the leaders addressed a mammoth crowd compromising mainly sugarcane farmers.

Mr Otsiula called on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to save the giant firm from imminent collapse by pumping in more money.

"Let the Government save the poor farmers by funding the revival of the company or they will continue to suffer while a few corrupt individuals continue to laugh all the way to the bank," Otsiula said.

"Let the Government order for the arrest of all people mentioned in the forensic report," Washiali said.