Police in Nyamira town early today, engaged in running battles with rowdy youths, who barricaded entry to the precincts of the County Assembly premises to prevent the Assembly Speaker from accessing it.
Police were forced to use teargas canisters after unruly youths Blocked Nyamira-Miruka Road with burning vehicle tyres and rocks rendering the road impassable. The road is also used to access the Assembly premises.
Nyamira County Assembly speaker, Moffat Teya, who was reporting to his office to prepare to Chair Assembly debates for the day was assisted by police to access his office.
“I was not aware of this ugly happenings while leaving my home to come and conduct today’s House Business and it is very unfortunate that the youth are used by politicians to halt normal town operations which will in turn bring huge losses to business operators,” the Speaker told the press.
The Magombo Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Richard Onyinkwa, who had also arrived to attend the day’s business was forced to wade through the teargas fumes, terming the morning incident as very unfortunate and vowed to resist being arm-twisted with leaders from the National Assembly to manipulate operations and decisions of the County Assembly.
“The National leaders should leave the County leaders to operate independently and spearhead the development agenda of the people of Nyamira, 2022 politics should not come to play at all here,” stated Onyinkwa.
The Speaker confirmed that the Assembly proceedings will continue as scheduled today as from 9.30 am because they are tabling the County Fiscal Strategy Paper.
Meanwhile, Nyamira town remained deserted with the main bus park, Entry to the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and the Nyamira Referral Hospital and business around the Assembly premises disrupted.
By Deborah Bochere
