• According to the CS, the protests were by squatters from land belonging to East Africa Portland.
• He claimed the chaotic demonstrations were led by Mavoko MP Patrick Makau.
Image: MOSES KURIA
Investments, Trade and Industry CS Moses Kuria has downplayed reports that the violent protests witnessed in Mlolongo were not because of the Opposition or the cost of living.
According to the CS, the protests were by squatters from land belonging to East Africa Portland.
He claimed the chaotic demonstrations were led by Mavoko MP Patrick Makau.
Kuria insisted that the plan to evict the illegal squatters on Thursday is still on.
He dared them to do what they want.
"The violence in Mlolongo yesterday was because we evicted squatters from East Africa Portland land led by Mavoko MP Patrick Makau. Today we will evict all illegal squatters. You can burn all you want but sibanduki," Kuria said.
The protests turned chaotic as protesters also engaged in vandalism.
The protesters damaged parts of the Nairobi Expressway and barricaded the road while they engaged the police in running battles.
The opposition had called for countrywide protests on Wednesday.
Following the protests, Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau was Thursday arrested in investigations over anti-government protests witnessed along Mombasa Road, Nairobi.
Makau was arrested in the wee hours of Thursday at his home in Karen, Nairobi.
His house was raided at 4 am, where detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) took him to the directorate's offices in the Nairobi Area.
He has denied any involvement in the demonstrations that were witnessed on Wednesday where a section of the Expressway was damaged affecting traffic flow.