Death and anarchy mark Ruto’s weeklong Nairobi tour

President William Ruto’s tour in Nairobi has been marred with significant backlash from rowdy youths who booed him, gangs stealing from innocent Kenyan, and a foreigner being hit by his speeding motorcade.

While the five-day tour around the city was meant to popularise his recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and showcase the Kenya Kwanza development, in some areas, Ruto faced hostility as unruly crowds booed him and chanted ant-government slogans.

While visiting Mathare and Ruaraka on Wednesday, after the rally, a section of the youth cheering him turned the event into an opportunity for stealing and attacking innocent pedestrians and passengers along Thika Road. Others targeted shops in the areas the president visited.

Videos seen on social media by The Informer Media Group indicate many of those who were involved in the crimes had been earlier on cheering the head of state with some having been ferried from elsewhere by city politicians.

After the rally by Ruto, they targeted motorists and passengers around Utalii College as they snatched phones and other valuables. They also robbed from motorists and stole side mirrors as they went into nearby buildings.

Worse still, some of the attacks were committed near the General Service Unit Headquarters and the National Youth Service headquarters, which are considered safe areas.

Witnesses claim that law enforcement officers stationed nearby did not stop the attacks.

While there was a noticeable increase in security as Ruto toured areas to launch and assess various projects, it is absurd that the elite officers from special units, including the Counter Assault Team (CAT), could not help in preventing the crimes.

Two days after the incident, Kenyans on social media raised complaints about the laxity of Police officers allowing such crimes to happen; the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced that eight suspects had been arrested.

The DCI said they had launched a probe and a crackdown to apprehend the suspects.

It added that the eight arrested persons were among the group of 10 that robbed Kenyans of their valuables along the Super Highway.

The DCI singled out the Thika Road incident, yet similar attacks happened during the first day of the tour in Kamukunji and outside State House, where people were mugged. Around 300 youths followed him to State House where forcefully wanted to have lunch with him.

They mugged pedestrians and motorists around State House gate a, but the situation was later contained when Recce squad officers were dispatched.  Some of them were arrested but later released.

The same happened in Kawangware on Wednesday despite security being enhanced with the deployment of elite officers from the General Service Unit and other squads.

Yesterday, while visiting Ayany Primary School in Kibera, videos seen by The Informer Media Group showed police officers beating up youths with rungus, preventing them from accessing the venue.

The emergence of the gangs, however, signifies the suffering, terror, and desperation of helpless Nairobians who are jobless and are grappling with the harsh economic times.

Hours later, President Ruto’s speeding motorcade hit and killed a foreigner at Adams Arcade when he was moving from Lang’ata to Kibera.

Witnesses claim the deceased was knocked down while attempting to cross the busy spot.

Sources privy to details about the incident told The Informer Media Group that the driver of the vehicle that killed the British national identified as Edgar Charles Frederick was arrested and later freed on a cash bail as police proceed with investigations.

The details of the driver were not revealed, but the vehicle was towed to Kilimani police station.

The body of the 79-year-old Briton was transferred from the Nairobi Funeral Home to Lee after his identification.

Reports indicate that he was in the country to visit his sister.

Witnesses claim that the foreigner had an issue with his hearing and wasn’t aware of the shouts made by a traffic officer who was clearing the road.

While the president has not commented about the gang attacks witnessed and the person killed by his motorcade, he has been consistent about uplifting the lives of city residents and uniting the country.

Today’s tour of Eastlands has, however, not witnessed any major incident.