Kitengela town deserted amid tension over anti-government protests

By , K24 Digital
On Wed, 19 Jul, 2023 13:19 | < 1 min read
Most business remain closed at Kitengela town. PHOTO/Christine Musa
Most business remain closed at Kitengela town. PHOTO/Christine Musa

Kitengela town, which experienced skirmishes during last week's anti-government protests against the cost of living, was today deserted with most businesses remaining closed.

Most public vehicles remained grounded with few operating reporting low business due to few passengers.

Cattle, sheep and Goats slaughtered at the Kitengela slaughterhouse were also scaled down by up to 70 per cent.

Ordinarily, over 200 livestock are slaughtered daily owing to the lucrative meat business that is dominant in the town.

A contingent of police officers patrolled the town dispersing any gatherings.

Contingent of police officers keep vigil along Nairobi Namanga Kitengela PHOTO/Christine Musa
A contingent of police officers keep vigil along Nairobi-Kitengela road ahead of anti-government protest threats. PHOTO/Christine Musa

The busy Kitengela open-air market was equally deserted with only a handful of vendors.

Over 1,000 hawkers who operate within the town streets are kept off.

Most public and private day schools remain closed following the Ministry of Education directive that Nairobi and Mombasa schools remain closed.

School heads say most parents were not willing to allow their children to attend school.

Locals have decried tension in the town saying it has adversely affected their daily operations.

Two people succumbed to bullet injuries while receiving treatment at the Kitengela Sub County hospital following last week's protests.

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