This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
On Wednesday, a mob of residents in Karichu location, Igembe North, Kenya, took the law into their own hands, burning two government motorcycles assigned to Chief Samson Thiringi and his assistant.
The incident occurred as the residents accused the administrators of unfair identification and registration of residents meant to benefit from government support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Thiringi escaped the wrath of the mob, but his assistant was not so lucky, with the mob confiscating and burning his motorcycle.
After targeting the motorcycles, the mob proceeded to vandalise Chief Thiringi's home.
Igembe North sub-county police commander Apollo Busolo confirmed that a team had been dispatched to the area to investigate the incident.
According to an administrator who wished to remain anonymous, Chief Thiringi has been strict in his duties, attracting the wrath of his enemies.
"We have leads on those who incited the attack on the chiefs. The claims that the list of beneficiaries is not transparent are unfounded. The law will catch up with them," the official said.
Residents claim that the chiefs have included the 'rich' in the list of beneficiaries while leaving out the needy.
They also alleged that despite orders by the deputy county commissioner to provide the list of the bona fide residents, Chief Thiringi tore the paper bearing the names into pieces.
"The chief found us preparing the list for presentation to the DO and tore it. This is when angry residents went after him," a resident said.
Meru County has been plagued by rising disquiet over the registration of vulnerable residents meant to be cushioned from the effects of Covid-19, with locals citing lack of transparency.
On April 20, Meru County Commissioner Allan Machari said 90,000 vulnerable residents had been registered and warned Chiefs against listing people who are not in need.
