Uproar in Gatura, Gatanga after local administration announces 'draconian' measures to avert Mungiki menace
LOCAL NEWS |
| Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, Kiambu acting Governor James Nyoro and other officers at Mutomo village, Gatundu South on September 26/The Star. |
By Ndung'u Wa Gathua
Visiting President Uhuru Kenyatta's backyard on Thursday after a gang believed to be members of the proscribed Mungiki sect killed a villager, injured three and fled with phones, money and other valuables, Matiang'i vowed to crash the gang criminals 'just like ex-Cabinet Minister John Michuki did'.
“I am following the footsteps of Michuki. We will not allow people to be harassed every time. And we know what is going on here,” Matiang'i said.
He added: “We will also reorganise police deployment in Kiambu to address security matters effectively. We will comb this region thoroughly because we don’t want to have this madness again."
Michuki led a brutal and bloody crackdown on the dreaded Mungiki sect in 2007 while he was serving as Matiang'i equivalent during the Kibaki administration.
Matiang'i has at the same time ordered Central Regional Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga to immediately advertise positions for chiefs and assistant chiefs with the recruitment beginning before October 15.
In Kariara Divisional headquarters, Gatura, a hurriedly convened public 'baraza' on Friday (27/9/2019), saw an allay of drastic measures introduced with immediate effect which the local administration says are precautionary measures meant to avert the infiltration of Mungiki in the area.
"We are not taking chances following the unfortunate reports that we have heard in recent days from the neighbouring county of Kiambu. Today we have decided to introduce some precautionary measures which might be unpopular among some people, but are meant for the good of all of us," Kariara Assistant Sub-County Commissioner said during the poorly attended civic event.
Some of the controversial measures taken and which have irked a large section of Gatura residents include:
1. VIDEO halls in GATURA to be opened at 3pm and closed latest at 11pm daily.
2. All BARS in Gatura irrespective of their licensings stipulations, to open at 5pm and close at 11pm.
3. IDLE TRUCK-OFFLOADERS ordered off Gatura shopping centre.
4. MOTORBIKE riders in Gatura banned from operating beyond 11pm.
5. All BUSINESSES in Gatura to be documented and their respective owners' phone contacts recorded.
6. IDLING especially among youths banned.
Many Gatura and sorrounding areas residents who spoke to 254Newsday immediately after the measures were announced by the area chief and his assistants, disapproved them terming them 'draconian' and 'counterproductive'.
"It is absolute nonsense for the administration to for instance regulate video halls' opening and closing times when we know very well that many people go there to kill time and get themselves busy. If in any way they think criminals could hide in such places, why not ask video hall operators to thoroughly screen their customers before letting them in by say telling them to demand everybody present their ID cards?" one man who opines that video halls have brought about 'crime reduction' in the area says.
All the other above groups that 254Newsday has spoken to, widely share almost similar sentiments which beg for answers to these THREE important questions:
Were these measures, even while meant for the common good of area residents, well-thought out? Was it a knee-jerk reaction to CS Matiang'i's brutal talk? And what will be the likely consequences of implementing the measures which some residents have rubbished as 'a goose chase race and nonsensical?'
Watch out for a Brutal, Bold & Balanced 254Newsday Editorial piece on this matter up next!