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{
"id": 101695,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/101695/?format=api",
"text_counter": 183,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Ojode",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister, Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security",
"speaker": {
"id": 197,
"legal_name": "Joshua Orwa Ojode",
"slug": "joshua-ojode"
},
"content": "In particular, he wanted the Minister to clarify why the police used force and threw teargas canisters on peaceful members who had already been screened with a view of dispersing and excluding a majority from participating in the meeting. The hon. Member also wanted to know why the police are preparing to arrest and prosecute some members on tramped up charges, hence intimidating dissenting members, and whether in the light of the foregoing, the local administration and the police were acting within the law, which requires them to be impartial and non-partisan. Mr. Baiya also sought to know the action the Minister intends to take to assure members of the co-operative society that they can safely attend meetings and participate effectively without fear. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the said meeting did take place amidst heightened tension on Saturday, 29th May, 2010 at the Githunguri Stadium. The District Security and Intelligence Committee (DSIC) had from March this year, anticipated a disruption at whatever time the Directors of the Society would call their Annual General Meeting. This is due to the fact that the immediate former Chairman of the giant society, hon. Njoroge Baiya, who is now the Member of Parliament for Githunguri, is alleged to have distributed copies of a letter addressed to members, claiming that some funds had been misappropriated at the society. This culminated in a war of words between the current directors, led by Charles Mukora, and the area Member of Parliament. Since then, there has been a spirited campaign by the two camps, one led by the current Chairman, Mr. Mukora, and the other one led by the area Member of Parliament, under the guise of farmersâ education, trading serious accusations against each other. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it was out of this tension that the DSIC, sitting in April and May, 2010, decided to advise the management of the society to consider postponing a Special Annual General Meeting planned for 8th May, 2010. The society management obliged, and the meeting was postponed. The DSIC agreed in principle that for the sake of the majority of farmers, who have nothing to do with the wrangles between the former and current chairman, the meeting should be allowed to go on, and that adequate security measures be put in place. So, on notification, the DSIC embarked on making sure that the society gave the two- week notice in accordance with the Co-operative Societies Act, of which the society complied. Therefore, the security team had to put in place adequate security measures. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the meeting was arranged for Saturday, 29th May, 2010. The DSIC mounted proper security and members started arriving at Githunguri Stadium as early as 5.30 a.m. Security personnel were on the ground, and ensured that only members with proper identification accessed the stadium. At around 9.45 a.m. some rowdy people forcefully entered the stadium. The District Commissioner (DC), Githunguri, intercepted and beseeched them to allow the meeting to go on. No sooner had the prayers started than they abruptly started pulling down some of the erected tents and, therefore, causing a stampede. The police moved in immediately to disperse them. The rowdy group had worn red caps and T-shirts. Thus the police could identify them easily. The police repulsed them by throwing teargas canisters at them. The majority of the farmers were very happy with the action taken, and the meeting went on peacefully thereafter."
}