Several people have been injured after two factions clashed over a market project in Thika.
Supporters of Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a and Kamenu ward MCA Peter Mburu faced off over the construction of the Kiganjo market within Kamenu ward with both leaders claiming credit of the project.
Ng’ang’a who had led other MPs including National Assembly Majoriy Leader Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), Gabriel Kagombe (Gatundu South), Elijah Njoroge (Gatundu North and Ngoliba ward MCA Joachim Njama in launching the market, said that the National government has set aside sh 55 million for the project.
She said that the project was a promise by President William Ruto to Kiganjo residents that his administration would put up a decent facility for them to trade in.
Ng’ang’a accused the Kiambu County Government led by Governor Kimani Wamatangi of trying to hijack the project and claim the credit adding that earlier some hired goons had threatened to disrupt her meeting.
However, hell broke loose when Ng’ang’a led fellow MPs to officially ground break the project.
They found the MCA holding a meeting at the land parcel where the market is being built and his supporters had already subdivided the parcel and started putting up structures.
A confrontation ensued between supporters of the two factions. Supporters of the MCA started hurling stones to the MPs and Ng’ang’a’s supporters forcing police officers to throw teargas and fire in the air.
An aide to Ng’ang’a was rushed to hospital with serious wounds on his head after being hit with a stone.
On Thursday, the Kamenu Ward MCA spearheaded slots allocation to traders insisting that the market will be built by the local government to end trader’s woes.
Mburu called out unnecessary competition between the national and county government on construction of markets saying the function is a constitutional mandate of devolved units.
He said the project will open up the area after years of remaining behind on matters infrastructural development.
Earlier, Ichung’wa said that the market projects within Kiambu County are fully funded by the National Government with an aim of giving traders a conducive environment to work in and improve the region’s economy.
He also rallied Kenyans to pay taxes for the sake of country’s economic growth noting that the National Assembly will put into consideration issues that are of national good while discussing and voting for the 2024/2025 financial budget.
