Anti-riot police have tear gassed and engaged anti Nyangarama protestors in running battles in Nyabite and Kebirigo towns in Nyamira County. Hundreds of youths protesting against corruption by the County administration were arrested.
The youths under the banner of Nyamira ni Yetu Sisi Mayouth organisation —questioned accountability of Governor John Nyagarama.
They accused the governor of deploying more than 40 anti riot police officers at Kebirigo where the their chairperson Vitalys Ongaro and secretary Alfred Onsare were arrested and detained at Nyamira police station.
Ongaro said they will continue protesting until Nyagarama fully accounts for the funds he has misappropriated.
“This crusade demanding for our rights will continue until justice is done to Nyamira youths,” Ongaro said.
The organization has petitioned the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the coffers of Nyamira County.
They further accused Nyagarama of employing old retirees in his government as qualified youths are neglected to languish in abject poverty.
Clinton Rira, who fled to Nyabite accused the governor of nepotism as he demanded for immediate release of his colleagues who were arrested.
“We notified the police of the demo on August 7 but we were surprised when they came out in their big numbers to disrupt the demo,” he said.
Nyamira police boss Lilils Wachira said the demo could not allowed to continue owing to the covid-19 guidelines that have banned rallies and gatherings.
She added that will consider whether to arraign those arrested or not.
On July 18 the Nyamira County government offices were in panic after detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested six employees in Kisii town.
EACC’s spokesman Yassin Amaro who confirmed the arrests told the media that investigations had been launched.
Former and current officers of the County Public Service Board, senior officers in the Gender department and officers in the Human Resources department were grilled in a day-long operation at the county headquarters.
