This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
On August 17, 2019, Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga faced a tense confrontation with hawkers along Gakere road in Nyeri town.
During a walkabout, the governor was stopped by hawkers who expressed their concerns over a relocation plan for their businesses. However, a group of highly charged hawkers, estimated to be in hundreds, booed and shouted him down, preventing him from explaining the plan.
According to eyewitnesses, the hawkers accused the governor's executive committee of formulating an anti-hawkers policy without public participation. They claimed that the policy was made without considering the welfare of the hawkers.
One of the hawkers, Wambui Githiuti, was quoted as saying, “We cannot allow any nonsense from the governor. We know for sure he has been compromised by traders operating their businesses along Gakere road at the expense of the helpless hawkers.”
The governor's convoy was eventually forced to leave the scene at high speed, with the hawkers continuing to protest.
