When Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga declared March 20,2023 as a key day for Kenyans to get to the streets and demonstrate in defence of their democracy, residents from other counties came out in large numbers to participate in the protests.

However, in Nakuru things were different, as only a handful of Azimio supporters came to the streets led by the Azimio coalition Nakuru branch chair Joel Kairu and the Nakuru county ODM chairman Bernard Miruka.

What the two anticipated as a long day’s peaceful demonstration was cut short after their short match from Nakuru Railway station to KCB bank along Kenyatta Avenue, where they were intercepted by police officers and arrested.

Read: My thrilling experience covering Maandamano in Nakuru

Former Nakuru County Assembly speaker Joel Kairu (in khaki) is bundled into a police land cruiser after attempting to start protests in Nakuru CBD on March 20, 2023.

Photo credit: FILE

Their arrest was followed by the dispersing of supporters who took part in the brief demonstration they had staged, marking the end of the anticipated protests in Nakuru.

Consequently, when a three-day, weekly protest was called for by Mr. Odinga the same was expected by Nakuru residents.

However, this time round the peaceful and calm streets of Nakuru turned chaotic. The morning of July 12, 2023 started off calmly with most businesses in the city opening up as usual.

However, around 10 am that day, youthful men took to the streets with an intent to protest. By this time, contingents of police started to be deployed in different areas of Nakuru Town West to ensure a state of calm was maintained.

The protest which was proposed as a peaceful demonstration turned chaotic and was marred with violence. Protesters started throwing stones at officers who were doing patrols within this city. In no time, the situation escalated to running battles between the police and the protesters.

The same was experienced on July 19 and 20 as the protests entered the second week.

Protester in Shaabab.

Photo credit: FILE

Contrary to being fruitful and aiding in lowering the cost of living which was high in the country, the protest was marked by loss of life, damage to property, thuggery, traumatic impact of school going children, disruption on travels and huge losses in businesses.

Also Read: Exclusive: Family of man shot dead during anti-government protests speaks out

According to Human rights defender David Kuria, working with the Independent Medico Legal Unit (IMLU), the July protest had a detrimental impact on Nakuru residents.

“People lost their kin and relatives. As it is, Nakuru had three deaths of the national death toll experienced from the protest two of which were extra judicial killings and one from a mob justice,” says Kuria

On the other end, Nakuru Child Rights Network chairperson Cosmas Mutua says the protest interfered with children’s education and child protections.

In Pondamali, school pupils were caught in the crossfire between police and protestors. They cried out to police not to shoot them after a group of officers stormed the school while pursuing protesters.

Police during maandamano in Nakuru.

Photo credit: FILE

Other than that, business was heavily affected. Youth made away with goods of unknown value after looting shops in Nakuru Town West.

From the disruptions in the transport industry, matatu businesses in Nakuru suffered a loss of more than Sh 8 million from the protests happening.

With the protests happening, some areas in Nakuru Town West were marked as prone to violence since they were considered the hot bed of the protests.

Related: Nakuru maandamano: Death toll rises to two as nine receive treatment

After Maandamano, Nakuru went back to being the calm city it has always been.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Maandamano: A first for Nakuru that left three dead, children traumatized

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