Mwingi MCA flees after unruly youths storm church

Chaos erupted in Mwingi town on Sunday after boda boda operators stormed a church where Mwingi Central MCA Mary Kanini was worshipping.

The chaos was triggered by money donated by Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday, when he held a rally in Mwingi town.

The DP donated Sh3 million empowerment funds which were to be equally distributed to women, boda boda and taxi self-help groups.

Ruto directed the MCA to distribute the funds to the groups on Sunday.

However, irate youths stormed Mathyakani AIPC where the county legislator was attending a church service demanding their share of the money.

Confirming the incident, Mwingi Central subcounty, deputy police commander, Nicholas Mutua said the MCA called him informing him of the rowdy youths.

Mutua said he immediately sent his security team to evacuate her from the church and drove her to Mwingi police station.

The youths followed her to the police station demanding the DP's donations, forcing police officers to disperse them using tear gas.

"What transpired might have been caused by incitements from her political rivals," Mutua said.

He also confirmed that the MCA is safe but she had to be escorted to Kitui for her safety. Her Mwingi home was also provided with security officers.

Maluki, a boda boda operator, said the MCA did not issue money to the operators stating she used their name to get cash from the DP.

"We are yet to get our share and I hear the money has already been distributed but we do not know any boda boda group that got the money," he said.

However, Kanini said she equally distributed the money to all the groups that had been forwarded to her.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)