Dj Vnyash
Gilgil Member of Parliament Martha Wangari is facing criticism after residents of her constituency took to the streets to protest her leadership. The unrest began in Kongasis, Elementaita, Gilgil, Nakuru County, where the frustrated residents demonstrated against what they described as poor leadership under Wangari.
For the past month, the residents have been protesting, demanding better services and accountability. The protests intensified as the angry residents set fires and blocked roads, calling for their right to development. In response, police used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Some officers attempted to engage with the protesters, while others made arrests. The protests have also targeted County Governor Susan Kihika, with claims that the county’s revenue, allocated by the national government, is not being fairly distributed. The residents accused the leadership of prioritizing certain areas over others, leading to feelings of marginalization.
With a population of 80,000, Kongasis residents lamented the inadequate infrastructure, including having only one transformer to serve 32 villages. They also criticized MP Wangari for redirecting the Kongasis Market project, which had been promised by President Ruto, to another area, leaving the community without a market.
The residents are now calling on President Ruto to step in and ensure that they receive the development they are entitled to. One resident expressed frustration, saying, “We have stayed here for a long time, but we hardly see any development. It’s not that development doesn’t happen, it just keeps getting diverted to other places. Now, we are tired and can’t stay silent anymore.”
Martha Wangari, who became MP in 2017 after previously serving as a senator, reaffirmed her commitment to bringing development to the constituency during the Jamhuri Day celebrations.
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