Kiambu: Drama as disabled persons demonstrate outside Wamatangi’s office over unpaid dues

By , K24 Digital
On Fri, 24 Feb, 2023 14:09 | 2 mins read
A section of the protestors demonstrates outside governor Kimani Wamatangi's offices. Photo/Mathew Ndung'u

Drama unfolded outside Kiambu County offices after a group of disabled persons tried to force their way inside governor Kimani Wamatangi’s office demanding to be paid dues for jobs they did for the devolved unit but have not been paid.

Fully equipped with their white canes, banners bearing different messaging and other assistive devices, the protestors were demanding payouts for a Ksh3.8 million tender that the county awarded them to construct a road in Limuru.

The tender is reported to have been awarded during the tenure of former governor James Nyoro who is said to have denied them audience during his reign.

A section of the protestors demonstrates outside governor Kimani Wamatangi's offices. Photo/Mathew Ndung'u

Led by Benson Nderitu Gitahi, their chairperson, the disabled persons said they have tried using diplomacy to seek payments but all their efforts have been futile.

“We were awarded a tender to construct a road in Limuru a year ago but we have continued to wallow in poverty despite having delivered. We are demanding Sh 3.8 million pay for the project that the government knows is already delivered,” said Nderitu.

A section of the protestors regretted that their conditions have, besides poverty, made them live shattered lives and urged the current government to heed to their calls for payouts.

The disabled persons decried that they have been struggling to put food on the table and pay school fees since they had invested in the project yet it was not showing any signs of being appreciated through payments.

After heated altercations with security officers manning the county offices, Wamatangi instructed that they be allowed in.

After meeting them, the county boss promised to look over the issue which he claimed was part of the Sh 7 billion pending bills that his administration was currently struggling to offset.

“I came to the county thinking that everything would be rosy only to be introduced, during my first day with a bill of more than Sh 7 billion. Tens of tens of people have been waiting to be paid for work that they did but their money was lost through corruption,” stated Wamatangi.

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