Uneasy calm after riots over Mati road

Police officers disperse protesters in Gitimbine area of Meru town who were demonstrating over the slow construction pace of the Mate-Tharaka road on January 15, 2014. PHOTO/KENNEDY KIMANTHI.  NATION

In Summary

• The residents had blocked the Meru-Embu highway and lit bonfires to protest the slow construction of the Meru-Mati road.
• This was the second day this week that demonstrations rocked the town with two people shot and wounded on Monday.

By KENNEDY KIMANTHI
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Uneasy calm returned to Meru following Wednesday's clashes between protesters and police that left one person dead and several others injured.

Meru Police boss Tom Odero however said officers are still on high alert following reports of a third demonstration over the killing of the man.

The residents had blocked the Meru-Embu highway and lit bonfires to protest the slow construction of the Meru-Mati road.

A contingent of General Service Unit, regular and Administration Police officers was called in to control the rowdy youths.

According to Mr Odero, three people have been arrested in connection to the incident.

“We are investigating the incident but we are not taking any chances as we have to maintain peace and order in the town. We are appealing to the residents to remain calm as investigations are concluded,” he said.

SECOND DAY

This was the second day this week that demonstrations rocked the town with two people shot and wounded on Monday.

“We are appealing to business owners and the public in general to be cautions as other people might be taking advantage of the chaos to loot and rob innocent people,” he said.

A spot check by Nation.co.ke revealed that businesses were operating as usual and public transport vehicles were operational on Thursday.

At the same time, Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood has condemned the use of live bullets and called for calm in the town. “Police should be more careful to avoid deaths such the one witnessed on Wednesday,” he said.

Mr Dawood further called on the Meru County Government to compensate traders whose business stalls were demolished last week.

He noted that demolishing stalls without offering an alternative to the hawkers would stem investment flowing into the town.

“The town will suffer enormous economic damages if you chase away the hawkers without offering them an alternative site,” he said.