Police in Kitale have dispersed peaceful demonstrations that were organized by businessmen and later arrested their chair for business community Martin Waliaula.
The demonstration was organized by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry leaders in Kitale led by its chair Martin Waliaula , leaders from Bodaboda sectors, Matatu sectors, vegetable vendors, as well as all business men in hotel sector demonstrated.
Demonstrators had converged at chamber office in Kitale and were set to present their allegations to the office of Governor Patrick Khaemba, Trans Nzoia County Commissioner’s office under Sam Ojwang and County Assembly to present their petitions.
Some of the petitions that they had planned to present include demolition of business stalls by the County Government of Trans Nzoia, lack of accountability in the manner taxes paid to the County Assembly is utilized, some officers in the County Government that have grabbed public land meant for business community, as well as mentioning an individual who has grabbed land meant for construction of business stalls along railway land claiming more than 10,000 business community affected by demolitions have nowhere to go.
“We condemn this barbaric act by police who have dispersed peaceful demonstrations within Kitale town, these acts of police must never be allowed in a democratic country of today,” said Waliaula.
The leaders condemned the police act of dispersing peaceful demonstrations claiming they offered a notice to all relevant security offices, County Governor, the County Assembly as well as police and notified them on the intended demonstrations one week before the day.
The condemned police harassment of traders who only wanted to present their petitions through peaceful demonstrations claiming the demonstrations was contrary to Kenyans constitution vowing to continue with demonstration in the next one week to push for their petitions to be heard.
Police acts by police was also condemned by Kiminini MP Dr Chris Wamalwa who claimed police harassment of businessmen was wrong as Kenyan constitution allows picketing and peaceful demonstrations and that such acts must not be condoned in a democratic country.
“I condemn in strongest terms possible harassment of traders by police in Kitale town as whatever the actions that does not conform to the law of the land”, said Dr. Wamalwa.
However security organs under Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang supported police action saying as security organs within the county they are duty bound in enforcing covid-19 protocols where a crowd of people are not allowed to involve in demonstrations as was organized by the chamber.
He noted that the region was declared a Covid -19 hot spot by the Ministry of Health and that it was wrong for the crowd to assemble in the name of demonstrating calling upon the chamber leadership to look for amicable ways of presenting their petitions to relevant authorities and not through demos.
