- The MPs are now living in fear and those who have managed to go to the rural homes are accompanied by heavily armed police.
- Some lost property to the attackers while some had their valuables spared.
Image: FILE
Police authorities have ordered the deployment of armed officers to the rural homes of some Members of Parliament after unprecedented attacks by mobs in anti-tax demos.
This was after up to 20 MPs reported their homes were attacked by mobs in the chaos.
Some lost property to the attackers while some had their valuables spared.
The MPs are now living in fear and those who have managed to go to the rural homes are accompanied by heavily armed police.
But still, they fear of being attacked by angry goons or their constituents.
Police commanders say they are facing a high demand for security at the rural homes of the MPs and especially those who voted for the Finance Bill 2024.
“We do not know how it will end because the MPs are demanding more and more security. This is also because we do not know how these demos or demands will end,” said one officer who asked not to be named.
Image: SCREENGRAB
Apart from the homes, the demonstrators also targeted National Government Constituency Development Fund offices. This is where most MPs have their offices.
“From Gilgil, Meru, Molo, Bungoma, Kisii, Kilifi, Central Kenya at large and even Nairobi, things are thick. We need to have a conversation on the way forward," said another officer.
Apart from the homes, the groups targeted businesses linked to the leaders.
There are fears of more attacks hence the demand for more security, officials said.
Officials said some MPs are now avoiding visiting their rural homes in fear of being attacked.
For instance, police were called to the rural home of Sirisia Member of Parliament John Waluke after a group attacked it and tried to set it on fire.
This was linked to anti-tax protests that took place in the country.
Waluke was not at home when the incident happened on Wednesday morning.
A guard at the home told police that an unknown number of people had raided the home and attacked it.
The group poured petrol around the compound and tried to burn the home.
The watchman however screamed for help prompting the suspected arsonists to escape.
Police arrived at the scene minutes later and announced they recovered a plastic bottle that the group used in carrying the petrol for their mission.
A green rope and a hat were recovered from the scene, police said.No arrest has been made so far.
Tension remained high in the area amid fears of more planned attacks.
The home of the MP is among dozens that were targeted for their support of the Finance Bill 2024.
This stretched police services in the country. Several homes of Members of Parliament were attacked and vandalised in response to their move to vote for the Bill.
President William Ruto later declined to sign the bill leaving the MPs with an egg on their faces.
This followed persistent protests from Kenyans who opposed the proposed taxes.
At least 15 people were killed in the protests and Parliament invaded. Property were destroyed in the chaos.