Tension flared on Wednesday after protests erupted at Kadawa Primary School in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, following a standoff involving Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina and local authorities.
The unrest was triggered after Njeri Maina was reportedly blocked from accessing the school, where she had planned to commission newly constructed classrooms. The legislator, who is aligned to the opposition, had visited the institution accompanied by Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango.
According to witnesses, parents and residents gathered at the school in protest, accusing police of interfering with the planned handover of the facilities. The situation escalated as officers allegedly enforced directives barring the Woman Representative from entering the premises.
In a statement shared later, Njeri Maina accused the police, led by the Mwea OCPD, of intimidation and political interference. She claimed that instructions had been issued to the school’s administration to deny her access, preventing her from officially handing over five “ultra-modern classrooms” she said she had lobbied for.
“Despite heavy police intimidation… we have today addressed parents and at their demand, officially launched the classrooms for learners,” she stated.
The lawmaker maintained that she would not be deterred from executing her mandate, adding that development projects should not be subjected to political rivalry.
“I shall not be intimidated in my duties and I will launch every project I have lobbied for without fear,” she said, framing the developments as people-driven initiatives.
