This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
On the night of the 2019 census, a wedding was underway in a region where local traditions dictate evening celebrations. The event was meant to be a joyous occasion for Hashim Daud and his partner, Aisha Jineri, the daughter of the county's ECDE director.
However, the festivities were cut short when police officers arrived, citing Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i's directive that prohibited people from leaving their homes at night during the census period.
According to eyewitness Hashora Rukia, the police gave the attendees 30 minutes to disperse before becoming aggressive. 'The police arrived and just ordered everyone to go home for the census. They gave us only 30 minutes before they became aggressive,' Rukia narrated.
The wedding has been rescheduled to a later date, with the exact new date not yet confirmed.
It is worth noting that the census exercise was taking place on the same night, and the police were enforcing Matiang'i's orders to ensure a smooth process.
