Tension gripped Naivasha town after a group of youths clashed with politicians and county officials over control of a lucrative public toilet at the Nairobi–Naivasha matatu terminus.
The youths, operating under the banner Mountain Group Movers, stormed and took over the management of the busy facility, claiming they had followed all legal procedures. Led by their chairman, Edward Gathitu, the group accused some local politicians and senior county employees of selfishly profiting from the toilet’s daily collections while locking out jobless youth.
According to Gathitu, the toilet had for years been controlled by a select few leaders, with proceeds benefiting a handful of individuals allied to the current administration. “The contract for the existing group has expired, yet some county officers continue to block new applicants. We decided to take charge so the income can help local youths instead,” he said.
The group’s secretary, David Mbugua, echoed the sentiments, explaining that the youths had waited patiently for their chance to manage the facility. “We’ve been actively involved in community work like tree planting. Managing this toilet will create employment for many of our members,” he noted.
However, the move was swiftly condemned by Viwandani MCA Mwangi Muraya, who dismissed the takeover as illegal. He maintained that a legally contracted group was still in charge and vowed to ensure the youths were evicted.
“There are established procedures for running such public amenities. We will not allow any unauthorized group to interfere with operations,” Muraya said.
The disputed toilet, located in one of Naivasha’s busiest transport hubs, reportedly generates thousands of shillings daily, making it a coveted income source. The standoff highlights growing frustration among unemployed youths seeking fair access to local economic opportunities amid alleged corruption in county management.
