Police forced to 'rescue' Maina Njenga from armed Maasai youths

Sunday, June 22nd 2014

Former Mungiki Leader Maina Njenga being escorted from his Kitengela home by a contingent of police officers following a threat by a section of Maasai community members Saturday that they would storm his house to evict him and bar him from burying his wife. [ PHOTO: SIMON KILONZI/STANDARD]

KAJIADO, KENYA: Tension gripped Kitengela town, Kajiado County when a contingent of police officers came to the rescue of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga after a group of armed Maasai youths threatened to attack his home.

Hundreds of police officers, led by Machakos County Commander Gideon Amala, stormed Mr Njenga’s Nkurunga estate home at 12pm and ordered everyone to get out. Scores of mourners were camping at the home awaiting the burial of Njenga’s wife, who died when the former Mungiki leader together with others were attacked a few weeks ago along the Nakuru-Nyahuru road.

The burial, supposed to take place Saturday, was eventually postponed after members of the Maasai community warned they would destroy the home if Njenga went ahead with the function.

Before the officers arrived, the Maasai men and youth had taken positions ready to attack their ‘enemy’.

“I am ordering everyone to walk out of this place, we have no time to argue. Move out now now,” ordered Mr Amala, accompanied by the Kajiado Deputy County Commissioner Joel Langat.

The mourners, after refusing to heed the order, were flushed out by the officers who used batons and whips to push them out of the compound. As the drama ensued, Njenga pleaded with the officers not to harm him but allow him move out peacefully.

“We have no problem moving out of here because these days we are peace makers and we cannot resist your orders, kindly allow us to move peacefully,” pleaded Njenga.

“We have no intention to harm or arrest you. We are only here to protect you from the agitated residents, and to prevent bloodshed,” Amala told Njenga.Addressing journalists outside the premises, Amala said they were not arresting Njenga but assisting him escape danger posed by the armed locals.

Njenga claimed the issue was politicised, and displayed a copy of a leaflet linking him with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga; alleging he was planning to overthrow the Jubilee government.

The evacuation came barely a day after the decision to postpone the burial was reached on Friday during a meeting between the security team from Athi River sub-county and Njenga.

Athi River sub-county deputy County Commissioner Kodhek Makori said after a long discussion with Njenga, they agreed the burial be called off for security reasons.

Mr Makori said he summoned Njenga after realising there was misunderstanding between him and the community over the burial. “We are in control of the situation and the community should calm down to avoid any casualties,” said Makori.

Maasai community leaders and elders claimed killings in the area and the mass graves uncovered at Empakasi were linked to Mungiki and Njenga was still regarded as the group’s leader.

“We as the Maasai community are peaceful and are not on a mission of igniting tribal clashes. We will not allow the burial of Njenga’s people to go on in our motherland regardless of his being the landowner,” said Sapai ole Juma, a Maasai community elder.

The community has also warned the Hope Internal Church, Kitengela not to continue operating.