Calm and normalcy in Mt Kenya as protestors keep off

Thriving businesses at Kiuma Thingira wa Wonjoria building within Nyeri Town. [File, Standard]

It was business as usual in towns in the Mt Kenya region as heavy police presence kept off anti-government protestors.

In Nyeri, whispers of an upcoming anti-government protest had circulated in the morning hours, but police officers took proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of the town.

Businesses remained open, and residents continued with their daily activities as policemen patrolled around government institutions and businesses.

Most supermarkets in the town remained closed in fear of the looting witnessed in previous protests.

In Kirinyaga County, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Central region asked President William Ruto to stop chest thumping and have a dialogue with demonstrators.

Speaking in Sagana, Reverend Njuguna Wanyoike, who represented the regional chairman, Bishop Dr Timothy Gichere, said it is unfortunate for youth to carry out a second week of demonstrations without their issues being heard or addressed.

"The demonstrators have pertinent issues that need to be addressed. This is the second week, and there is no leader who has shown interest in addressing their issues," said Wanyoike.

He urged the police to stop using force to avert destruction.

"The police should not use force on demonstrators because this leads to aggression and anger leading to more destruction," he went on to say.

He said it's not easy when thousands are in the streets, adding that there is an issue pushing them and should be listened to.

Wanyoike said President Ruto should appoint commissioners to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

"We call upon the president to hear the cry of the people of Kenya and facilitate the completion of the process to appoint the IEBC commissioners," he added.

The council members lit candles in honour of the youths who lost their lives while demonstrating.

"The IG should publicly account for individuals who have been abducted, the trend of imposing fear must come to an end, and Kenyans should be allowed to express their views without any fear," Wanyoike said.

Embu town remained calm, unlike on Tuesday last week when violent protests involved arson attacks on the county headquarters and the UDA offices were witnessed.

However, there was heavy police deployment outside the County Governor's office, which was vandalised and torched on Tuesday.

Police officers in uniform and plain clothes patrolled the streets as others kept vigil at strategic places in a lorry, shifting locations around the busy town.

Kiritiri Market and other areas that experienced violence in previous protests remained calm following the deployment of anti-riot police officers, but tension remained high as some businesses remained closed while others opened in the afternoon.