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Protesters Arrested Outside Parliament
- Details
- Published on Friday, 20 July 2007 07:24
Representatives of 700 groups from Kitutu Masaba constituency claimed that their MP George Anyona had failed to account for Sh2.3 million raised during a harambee funds drive in 1997.
Led by their spokespersons Helen Misoi and Kerubo Orina, the protesters staged a demonstration in Uhuru Park where they had converged and proceeded to Parliament Buildings, seeking audience with the MP.
They accused Anyona of having been elusive about the funds drive which was presided over by former Finance Minister Simeon Nyachae when he was still a Cabinet minister.
Mrs Misoi claimed that after the harambee, Anyona took their contributions, promising that he would help distribute it equally to all the groups.
She alleged that after noting that there were delays over the matter, they asked the MP who explained that he could not cash their cheques as they had been rained upon on the day of the harambee.
Mrs Orina further claimed that the MP disappeared for some time and when he re-surfaced, he threatened those who dared ask about the cash with police arrest.
"There were some people who asked about the money when they met the MP in Kisii and he called the police. Since then we can't confront him about the money as we are afraid," Orina alleged.
She said that the money duly belongs to them and that their efforts to have their plight looked into by the Provincial Administration has yielded no fruits.
Their bid to meet the legislator was thwarted as they were told that he was not in Parliament.
When they were asked to go away, they refused to move and instead put their belongings down and sat at the Parliament gate, vowing that they would not move until they are addressed by the MP.
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At this point, the Officer Commanding Central Police Division, Mr Japhet Koome, who had ordered them to leave, asked for reinforcements. A contingent of police officers in full combat gear arrived in a truck within five minutes.
The women and youths were then bundled into the police lorry. Those who were too old to board the vehicle were transferred to a waiting pick-up and taken to the Central Police Station.
They were later released on a free bond.
