Homa Bay protesting Gen Zs should not allow people who infiltrate their demonstrations with intentions of destroying property, Governor Gladys Wanga has said.
Wanga expressed concerns that some suspected criminals have hijacked protests undertaken by peaceful youths to perpetrate crimes in major trading centres in Homa Bay.
The youths known as Gen Zs have continued with their protests against the Kenya Kwanza administration in some parts of the country.
They are in their third week of protest, however, this week's demos have seen some destruction of property in those trading centres.
Wanga argued that they have witnessed harassment of women, invasion of shops and stealing of goods.
“Let Gen Zs in Homa Bay weed out criminals who infiltrate them during the demos. Such people have ill motive because they perpetrate crimes instead of peaceful demos,” Wanga said.
Speaking in Rusinga ward in Suba North constituency during the launch of an informal settlement improvement project, Wanga said the suspected criminals engaged in the destruction of public properties like burning roads.
The governor said they support peaceful demonstrations that are undertaken within the rule of law.
“As youths exercise their democratic right of holding peaceful demonstrations, they should be on the front line of getting rid of detractors. They should remain vigilant and remove people who infiltrate their demonstrations,” she said.
The governor said some criminals end up sexually harassing women during the demonstrations. Some traders at the Homa Bay town market also decried losses following the destruction and stealing of their goods.
On Thursday, some members of Gen Z in Homa Bay town condemned people who intend to hijack their peaceful demos and commit crimes.
The youth explained that their principal objective is to hold the government accountable to serve the people better.
Job Otulo and Davine Okumu described the lack of accountability in the government as an impediment to development in the country.
“We want to hold the government accountable to serve the people better. We have noticed that some people take advantage of doms to destroy wrong property,” Otulo said.
