Ichung’wah heckled in Nyandarua

By Newsflash Reporter

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah faced a tough reception on Thursday, April 3, as he was heckled by angry residents of Ol Kalou, Nyandarua, while addressing them in the presence of President William Ruto.

Ichung’wah, who was speaking in his native Kikuyu language, struggled to finish his speech as chants and jeers from the crowd drowned his voice.

Despite his attempts to push through, the hostility intensified, forcing him to cut short his address after just 37 seconds.

In his brief remarks, Ichung’wah urged the government to ensure that young people from the region benefit from the Affordable Housing project.

“Hao vijana wapewe Affordable Housing… Nii ni nii uria uteeraguo. Na uria twauga, guku Ol Kalou na nginya Nyandarua yoothe gutiri muundu ukweenderio guoya. Na nii ndiendagirio guoya. Niguo kana tiguo? Mwathani amuraathime.”

(Translation: “Let those youth be given affordable housing. I am usually on my own; I don’t follow directions. What we have said, no one will threaten us here in Ol Kalou and the entire Nyandarua. I am not usually threatened by anyone. May God bless you.”)

However, the crowd grew increasingly hostile, forcing him to end his speech prematurely.

Also faced with the same heckling is the county’s Women Representative Faith Gitau, who had to cut short her speech.

“Even if you try to jeer at me, our help will come from the government. There are some people who had come here [Nyandarua] to mislead us. We shall not accept to be misled,” she said amid wild jeers from the residents.

Gitau is a staunch Ruto supporter and a critic of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Bodaboda operators protest over mobilization money

Earlier, bodaboda operators in Nyandarua had raised complaints over what they termed as an unfair distribution of mobilization money. Speaking to Newsflash, some riders claimed they were given as little as Sh200, whereas reports from other regions suggested that some individuals had received as much as Sh5,000 per person to attend the event.

“We shall not mobilise people until we are fairly compensated,” said one bodaboda operator who requested anonymity.

The operators accused Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku of allegedly withholding their rightful share of the mobilization funds. “Our MP has eaten our money,” one of them claimed, adding to the simmering tensions that played out during the rally.

Ruto’s promise to Nyandarua residents

Despite the political undertones and unrest, President William Ruto sought to shift the focus to development. Addressing the crowd, Ruto announced that his administration would ensure the opening of Nyandarua University College, a constituent college of the University of Nairobi, by September this year.

“We are committed to bringing higher education closer to the people of Nyandarua. By September, Nyandarua University College will be operational,” Ruto assured the residents.