Murang’a town experienced a tense and uneasy Monday morning as residents kept away from the streets, prompting a near-total shutdown of normal activity. A somber calm hovered over the town as businesses remained shut, public transport operations stalled, and anti-riot police patrolled the streets in anticipation of possible unrest.
Supermarkets and major retail stores took precautionary measures by reinforcing their entrances with steel barricades to prevent potential looting. The town’s usually busy streets were notably quiet, with matatus parked idly in their designated bays and operators opting to stay home.
There were growing fears of repeat chaos similar to that seen during earlier demonstrations on June 25, when protests against police brutality escalated into violent confrontations. On that day, angry youths attempted to storm the county assembly, managing to breach part of its perimeter wall during hours-long clashes with security forces that extended into the night.
The current tension appears to be fueled by reports that large groups of youths had been ferried into Murang’a town from other parts of the region over the weekend. Although the purpose of their visit remains unclear, the unfamiliar presence of these individuals has heightened anxiety among residents and business owners alike.
Some residents who ventured out early in the morning chose to return home or close their shops shortly after opening. Many cited concerns that the situation could spiral out of control, just as it had during the previous protests. One shop owner said the last time unrest occurred, it began quietly before rapidly intensifying into violent mayhem, leaving many unprepared.
Further fueling the tension were incidents at Kabati, near Thika town, where crowds of youths lit bonfires, vandalized a mobile phone shop, and attempted to force entry into a nearby supermarket. Police were quickly deployed to the scene, resulting in skirmishes as officers tried to restore order.
Locals expressed alarm at the nature of the violence, with many claiming that the perpetrators were not familiar faces from the community. This sense of infiltration from outsiders has only deepened mistrust and uncertainty among residents, many of whom now fear their businesses may be deliberately targeted.
Authorities confirmed they were monitoring the situation closely and have deployed officers to sensitive areas to deter further chaos. Security officials urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement until calm is fully restored.
As the day progressed, Murang’a remained under a cloud of apprehension, with many choosing safety over routine as they watched closely to see if the fragile calm would hold or give way to more unrest.
