Thika, Kiambu County- A dispute over the construction of the Kiganjo market in Thika turned violent on Friday, leading to several injuries and claims of fatalities as supporters of Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a and Kamenu Ward MCA Peter Mburu clashed.
The altercation stemmed from a conflict over credit for the market project. MP Alice Ng’ang’a asserted that the National Government had allocated Ksh.55 million for the market’s development, as promised by President William Ruto. However, she accused the Kiambu County Government, led by Governor Kimani Wamatangi, of attempting to hijack the initiative.
Tensions escalated dramatically when Ng’ang’a and her colleagues arrived at the site to officially launch the project, only to find Mburu and his supporters already there, asserting their claim to the project. The confrontation quickly turned chaotic, with stones thrown and police deploying tear gas to disperse the violent crowd.
Several individuals sustained injuries in the melee, with an aide to Ng’ang’a reportedly hospitalized with serious injuries. A video doing rounds on social media shows Gatundu South MP, GG Kagombe shooting at the public. The clash underscored the fierce rivalry and high stakes involved in the control of development projects in the region.
Ng’ang’a was accompanied by prominent figures including National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), MPs Gabriel Kagombe (Gatundu South) and Elijah Njoroge (Gatundu North), and Ngoliba Ward MCA Joachim Njama. Their presence highlighted the political weight and significance of the Kiganjo market project.
The violent confrontation has raised concerns about the safety and security surrounding political and development projects in the area. Authorities have urged calm and promised a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent further violence.
As the dust settles, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of the clash and the future of the Kiganjo market project remains uncertain.
