Anti-riot police officers on Saturday morning blocked the road leading to Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara’s home in Maraigushu to stop some local leaders from visiting her. Teams of armed officers also blocked major roads leading to her home, leaving area residents in fear as intimidation by State agencies against leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua went a notch higher.
The latest incident comes barely a fortnight after the MP was whisked from her home and charged at the Milimani Law Courts with incitement. Following the Saturday morning incident, area leaders and locals stormed the MP’s home to offer solidarity as the officers watched.
Addressing the press, Kihara confirmed that she had expected some friends to visit her for moral support, adding that she did not require a permit for that.
An emotional Kihara blamed President Ruto for her woes, noting that this would not cow her from speaking out and defending the poor from being harassed by the State.
Flanked by area leaders, Kihara said she had the right to host anyone in her home, adding that she would continue inviting friends and political allies. She accused the President and his Deputy,
Kithure Kindiki, of also hosting delegations but taking issue when other elected leaders decided to do the same. Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja lashed out at the State for misusing security agents while parts of the country continued to record insecurity.
He said they would stand with the embattled MP, who was being persecuted for her political stand and her support for the former DP. This was echoed by his Viwandani counterpart, Mwangi Muraya, who wondered if the law had changed and people now had to seek permission from the police to visit their MP.
He accused the President, who was once hosted there, of now turning into a dictator by harassing the same people who supported him, adding, “We shall not allow this.”
