This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
On July 12, 2019, a charged atmosphere prevailed at the launch of the Riamukurwe/Gatitu/Muruguru water project in Nyeri County. The event turned chaotic when Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu slapped Muruguru MCA Simon Muturi in the presence of Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, National Irrigation Board chairman Joshua Toro, and other dignitaries.
CS Mwangi Kiunjuri had arrived at the venue at about 11am and commissioned the Sh256 million water project, which is funded by the government and founded by PCEA retired moderator Bernard Muindi. Before the public meeting commenced, Kiunjuri delivered an urgent message, warning against planned chaos by some elected leaders in the area.
However, Ngunjiri Wambugu's arrival, accompanied by a convoy of motorbikes hooting and shouting pro-Kieleweke slogans, disrupted the proceedings. The CS was forced to leave the podium as unruly youth surged towards him. The MP never bothered to greet fellow guests at the dais, including Kiunjuri.
As the situation turned physical, marauding young men and women went berserk, throwing chairs as missiles. In the chaos, an unruly young man threw a heavy blow on Ngunjiri's stomach, prompting the MP to slap Muruguru MCA Simon Muturi. Kiunjuri's bodyguards intervened, drawing their pistols to scare away the marauding goons.
CS Kiunjuri and the MCA were driven to safety in the official silver metallic Prado TX. Former project chairman Wachira Muchemi, 84, was evacuated from the dais and taken to the project offices for safety. Shaken women representative Rahab Mukami declined to address the chaotic meeting.
