'We Will Act Firmly': Kihika Warns Against Protest-Related Vandalism

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Governor Susan Kihika has warned that the County Government of Nakuru will no longer tolerate vandalism of public property during demonstrations, accusing some elected leaders, particulaly in Molo sub-County, of orchestrating destruction that has disrupted essential public services.

Speaking in Molo during an empowerment drive on Saturday, the Governor said recent incidents of vandalism had caused significant losses to residents, undermining emergency response, healthcare services, education facilities and development projects funded through public resources across the sub-county.

The remarks come days before the planned June 25 Gen Z Anniversary demonstrations, which will commemorate the 2024 anti-government protests, honor those who died during the Finance Bill unrest and renew calls for accountability over the deaths.

Kihika stressed that the destruction was not the work of the wider Molo community but of a few individuals, adding that authorities were aware of those allegedly mobilizing and leading youths to engage in acts of vandalism.

Among the incidents she cited was the burning of a county fire engine, which she described as particularly reckless given Molo’s vulnerability to fire outbreaks due to the prevalence of timber houses and other highly flammable structures.

She said the consequences of the destruction had already been felt, noting that emergency response efforts were hampered after another school fire occurred at St. Joseph Seminary School, just days after the deadly blaze at Utumishi Girls Senior School in Gilgil.

The Governor also condemned an incident in which doctors and nurses at Molo Hospital were allegedly assaulted while attending to an emergency case following a road accident, saying some healthcare workers had threatened to withdraw services because of the attacks.

She further criticized the burning of sub-county government offices, arguing that residents ultimately suffer when facilities providing essential public services are destroyed during demonstrations and periods of unrest.

Kihika also cited the vandalism of the perimeter wall at Molo Vocational Training Centre, saying the institution exists to serve local families and that destruction of educational facilities only disadvantages the local youth and other people.

“When you destroy facilities that are meant to benefit your community, who suffers in the end? As the saying goes, you cut off your nose to spite your face. Burning schools and public facilities does not punish leaders. It hurts your own children and your own community,” she said.

The Governor also expressed frustration over the destruction of cabro paving projects in Molo, saying the programme had been introduced to improve urban planning and modernize the town after years of neglect.

She noted that sections of the recently completed cabro project on pedestrian walkways in Molo Municipality were uprooted and damaged during demonstrations despite being funded through taxpayers’ money to improve infrastructure and business activity in the area.

While reaffirming that Kenyans have a constitutional right to demonstrate, picket and present petitions, Kihika said the right does not extend to the destruction of public property or disruption of critical services.

“I want to urge the people of Molo not to allow this to happen again. I assure you that the right to demonstrate is protected and respected. However, today I want to say clearly that if, during future demonstrations, anyone attempts to destroy public property, we will confront that matter firmly,” she said.

The Governor alleged that some elected leaders from Molo had been involved in funding and mobilizing youths for destructive demonstrations, saying unemployment should not be used as a justification for vandalism and criminal behavior.

Instead, she called for collaboration between leaders and government agencies to create employment opportunities, support economic empowerment programmes and address challenges affecting young people through constructive engagement.

Kihika appealed to parents to guide their children and discourage involvement in vandalism, warning that destruction of public infrastructure undermines development efforts and delays delivery of services to residents.

She thanked Molo’s business community for volunteering to renovate the vandalized perimeter wall at the vocational training center, describing the gesture as an example of collective responsibility and community leadership.

The Governor said the county government would continue supporting development projects in Molo, including the expansion of the cabro paving programme to urban centres across Nakuru County and completion of hospital projects in Molo and Elburgon.

She said the first phase of the county bursary programme had disbursed Sh20 million and supported 3,753 students, adding that the second phase was already underway to benefit more learners.

Kihika further revealed plans to engage Members of County Assembly on harmonizing county and constituency bursaries to avoid duplications and ultimately reduce education costs and increase access to schooling for children from vulnerable families.

She said the county had sustained its school feeding programme and allocated funds to enable vocational training centres to begin producing free school uniforms for all ECDE learners across Nakuru from October.

The governor encouraged young people to enroll in vocational training courses such as electrical installation, plumbing, catering and hairdressing, saying the county government would pay training fees of up to Sh30,000 per student.

She added that ongoing national government projects, including affordable housing developments, were already creating employment opportunities for local residents, while plans for construction of a stadium remained a county priority.

Kihika also highlighted the recently launched Governor’s Cup tournament, where winning men’s and women’s teams will each receive Sh1 million, saying the initiative is intended to nurture talent, promote positive engagement and create opportunities for young people.