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Police deny reports foreigners were attacked by goons in Thika after Gen Z protests
Ruiru sub county police commander Charles Kibathi dismissed the reports circulating in social media as baseless rumours and propaganda, maintaining that security personnel were on patrol and no such incident occurred
y Oliver Musembi
Rwandan and Burundian nationals living and doing business in Kenya have expressed fears for their lives after they were attacked and robbed by gangs in Thika, Kiambu County in the aftermath of the Saba Saba protests.
Through their representatives, they said the attackers raided their residential and business premises in Thika’s Majengo estate and left scores with serious injuries.
While appealing for protection, they said the attack was in contravention of the East African Community treaty which allows nationals from member countries to work or do business anywhere within the region.
“Some of us have been in Kenya for six to ten years and we have coexisted peacefully with our hosts. We are appealing for protection by the government security agencies because we are here legally,” said Bilorimana Merichet, a representative of the Burundis Diaspora.
Thika sub county police commander Lawrence Muchangi, reached for comment on phone, said a report of the attacks has been made and the matter is under investigation.
However, he did not give details of the progress police may have made or whether any arrests have been made so far.
According to Bilorimana, the foreigners numbering about 100 who live in rental matati houses, lost everything during the attack, including their trade wares, money and other belongings.
“As citizens of the East African Community, we have a right to live and work anywhere wthin the member states. There are Kenyans in Rwanda and Burundi working and even owning learning institutions there and we have nothing against them,” said the representative.
Area community leader Jacob Muturi said there was general insecurity in the area, but gave assurances that a village vigilante will offer protection to the foreigners.
Meanwhile, in Ruiru, Police have refuted claims of a raid by goons on Tuesday who reportedly terrorized residents and broke into business premises.
Ruiru sub county police commander Charles Kibathi dismissed the reports circulating in social media as baseless rumours and propaganda, maintaining that security personnel were on patrol and no such incident occurred.
Addresing journalists in his office, Kibathi asked the public to ignore the misleading reports which had indicated that goons purportedly dropped in buses had broken into the local Family Bank branch and the Ruiru level 4 hospital.
“No businesses were broken into, and no one was attacked as alleged in social media platforms. Our personnel have been on the alert and ok patrolling the town round the clock,” said Kibathi.
He assured Ruiru traders and residents of a 24-hour police surveillance following recent violent demonstrations where crooks had looted some businesses.
A spot-check in the town established that business activities were going smoothly while transport was back after Tuesday’s disruption occasioned by the Saba Saba protests.
Locals les by John Ng’ang’a and Moses Kimani expressed their concerns over the recently witnessed violence during the June 25th Gen-Zs demonstrations and the subsequent Saba Saba protests.
“On Tuesday evening we saw some people alight from busess and started blowing whistles then people started running. Shop owners and other traders closed their premises and started scampering for safety,” said Ng’ang’a.
