This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
On July 13, 2020, protests erupted along Juja road, resulting in chaos and destruction of property. Two casual labourers, Samuel Mbuva Musyoki and Paul Gichuki Githaiga, were among those involved in the demonstrations.
According to reports, the two were turned away by national government administration officials who were hiring youths for the National Hygiene Program (NHP) under the state department of housing and urban development. The officials were recruiting for the program, also known as Kazi Mtaani.
As the situation escalated, officers on patrol sought reinforcement from their colleagues at the Pangani police station, who arrived immediately led by the station commander. However, upon arrival, they were met with a barrage of stones from the rioting youths.
During the commotion, Githaiga attempted to snatch a pedestrian's phone, but was rescued from the lynch mob by police. Unfortunately, the side mirror of the police vehicle GKA 227H, belonging to Pangani police station, was broken in the process.
The two suspects, Musyoki and Githaiga, were subsequently charged with malicious damage of government property. They denied the charges before Makadara chief magistrate Heston Nyaga and were released on a cash bail of Sh10,000 each. The hearing of the case is set to start on September 29, 2020.
Five police officers, including the driver of the police Landcruiser, constable Joseph Soi, have been listed as witnesses in the case.
