Arrow-wielding youth storm downtown Eldoret in show of force
By Winston Cheseremi Kenya, June 28, 2024
Tension and anxiety gripped President William Ruto’s home town of Eldoret yesterday after tribal warriors armed with wooden batons, bows and arrows and chanting Kalenjin war songs stormed the town centre in the full glare of armed police officers on patrol.
The presence of more than 200 youths caused panic and fear among traders, with some deciding to shut down their business premises in a huff, fearing another round of violent protests.
As the youths roamed the streets, they could be seen roughing up bystanders who attempted to record their activities.
They warned people in their way against photographing them with their mobile phones, and at one point snatched a phone from a local journalist after suspecting her of trying to record their activities.
“Delete all the recordings you have taken from us or I will snatch your phone. I am not joking, young lady. I know you are a journalist,” shouted a young man, brandishing a wooden baton at the helpless journalist.
‘Offering protection’
The young men had earlier converged at the Uasin Gishu County headquarters, which houses Governor Jonathan Bii’s offices,before embarking on patrolling the streets.
The youth claimed that they were protecting Eldoret from violent protesters, vowing to ensure that no such incident takes place again in the President’s hometown.
Some traders hurriedly closed down their businesses, fearing looting, as happened on Tuesday when rowdy goons moved round the streets targeting shops dealing in electronic household items and expensive alcoholic drinks.
Surprisingly, the youth later assembled at the grounds of the county government headquarters after accomplishing their mission.
They held a meeting to take stock of their activities as a team of anti-riot police officers watched the drama from a distance.
There was a heavy presence of security personnel in the town earlier in the day ostensibly to avert a possible clash between opposing sides on the 2024 Finance Bill in the region following parallel protests in the morning.