PH
There was drama in Nyeri after a group of residents dumped rats in the local County Assembly during protests.
The five-hour demonstrations dubbed ‘Operation Ondoa Panya’ were led by activist John Wamagata who is the chairman of National Civil Society Congress.
He said use of rats was to indicate that the Members of the County Assembly (MCA) were misusing public resources gradually.
“The rats indicate that the MCAs are greedy and are eating our County bit by bit and at the end we shall have nothing,” he said.
He said the MCAs must ensure accountability in management of public resources.
The hundreds of protesters braved the chilly weather and marched along the streets of Nyeri town with placards bearing the names of each MCA up to the County Assembly, about two kilometres away.
However, they found tight security at the Assembly mounted by police officers in anti-riot gear and were forced to give the rats to the Sergeant at Arms, Dennis Omangi.
“We take issue with plans to construct a health club for MCAs which is estimated to cost KES.75 million. We are also disturbed by foreign trips by the MCAs which do not add value to service provision to the residents,” said Peter Muriithi, one of the protesters.
Wamagata was however at pains to explain why similar protests were not conducted against the local County Government which has also been accused of misappropriating public resources.
The MCAs alleged that the activist had been funded by Governor Nderitu Gachagua to intimidate them.
“The rats mean nothing and the governor must stop using such tactics to intimidate us. He is fighting us because of opposing some sections in the proposed 2016/17 budget,” said Dedan Kimathi Ward MCA Stephen Mwaniki.
Kirimukuyu Ward MCA, Kibira Ngunyi, also accused the governor of being behind the protests to prevent the MCAs from playing their rightful oversight roles.
“We have rejected plans by the governor to acquire a new vehicle worth KES.13 million and another KES.23 million for his tours. We must reject abuse of public resources,” said Ngunyi
