Violent protests over high fuel prices that rocked Kitui town in mid-May were infiltrated by criminals who engaged in unlawful activities, an official has said.
Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Mbui said investigations had established that the violent demonstrations were orchestrated by individuals from outside the county, including from Matungulu and Matuu in Machakos county.
“In the past, demonstrations of this magnitude have been rare in Kitui. We observed clear warning signs as the protests escalated to the point of barricading roads,” the commissioner said.
He added that some of those arrested during the demonstrations were not residents of Kitui, while others were found without national identity cards, indicating they intended to conceal their identities.
Mbui was speaking on Monday at St Mary’s Miambani Senior School in Kitui Central during celebrations to mark the 63rd Madaraka Day.
He said a significant number of protesters had been arrested and arraigned.
“We are not taking these measures because we want to see people jailed, but we have no alternative when public order is threatened,” he said.
Mbui noted that authorities could not stand by and watch roads being barricaded, as they serve as critical transport corridors for patients seeking medical attention and for the movement of essential goods.
“Blocking roads can lead to shortages of goods in some parts of the country. Burning tyres and other materials on roads is also destructive because it damages road surfaces and eventually leads to potholes,” he said.
Mbui further observed that some protesters took advantage of the unrest to loot businesses, questioning how traders could be blamed for the high fuel prices that sparked the demonstrations.
“Such actions amount to punishing innocent people who have nothing to do with the grievances being raised,” he said.
The commissioner urged Kitui residents to avoid engaging in criminal activities under the guise of demonstrations, adding that the government remains willing to listen to grievances presented through lawful and peaceful channels.
Mbui also expressed concern that the increasingly violent methods used by some Kenyans to express dissatisfaction were influencing students, who were beginning to emulate such behaviour in schools.
“The violent ways Kenyans are using to express their grievances are being copied by students, who then resort to destroying school infrastructure whenever they are unhappy,” he said.
“If a child sees adults burning roads to express anger, how do you expect that child to behave when angered in school? They are likely to destroy whatever is within their reach, including mattresses and dormitories,” Mbui added.
Mbui called on residents to embrace peaceful and lawful means of expressing their concerns, emphasising that violence and destruction only harm innocent citizens and undermine development.
