Angry Residents Chase Away UDA MP Mary Wamaua in Murang’a
Tension erupted on Monday afternoon in Kimorori Grounds, Kenol, Murang’a County, after angry residents chased away Maragua MP Mary Wamaua during a public event.
In videos obtained by Newshub.co.ke, a visibly furious crowd could be seen shouting, waving hands, and charging towards the MP. Security officers, including a police officer, quickly surrounded her and guided her away from the charged atmosphere as residents continued to jeer.
Residents Oppose Plans to Develop the Grounds
The hostility was sparked by ongoing controversy over government plans to develop the Kimorori sports grounds.
According to locals, the field is set to be taken over for projects linked to the Affordable Housing program, although other reports suggest the site is earmarked for construction of government offices.
Residents have expressed strong opposition to the project, insisting that the land should remain a recreational facility. Since 2022, when the development plans were first announced, youth in the area have staged protests on at least two separate occasions.
According to government records, the Maragua NG-CDF committee allocated Ksh 24 million in 2022 for the construction of a sub-county headquarters, an ICT centre, and a modern court facility on the same grounds.
Youth Fear Losing Their Only Training Field
The resistance from the youth stems from the fact that Kimorori Grounds is one of the few open spaces available for sports and recreation.
For years, it has been a hub where young people gather daily for football matches, athletics, and other physical activities that help them stay productive and away from crime.
“We want to grow our talents, but now they are taking over this field—what will we do? Young people will turn to crime. We come here every evening to play and train after hustling during the day.
Sometimes we even have up to 15 teams sharing this ground. If they take it, where will we go?” one youth told reporters.
Another resident added, “How I wish they were building washrooms and dressing rooms for us instead of taking the whole field away. That would help us more than losing the ground completely.”
Others emphasized the mental health benefits of keeping the space. “This field keeps us busy, helps us avoid antisocial behaviors, and gives us a place to bond as a community. Taking it away will leave a huge gap in our lives,” one lamented.
MP Wamaua Defends the Project
Despite the backlash, MP Mary Wamaua has remained firm that the project will go on. Speaking to the Kenya News Agency (KNA), she said that the land was legally allocated for government development and cannot be taken away for private use.
She dismissed claims that the land was being grabbed under the pretense of the Affordable Housing plan. “How can one grab the security powerhouse of a sub-county and construct their own houses? We are building government offices, not private homes,” she stated.
Her remarks, however, have done little to calm the situation, as residents insist they will continue resisting the takeover of Kimorori Grounds until the government provides an alternative site for the offices.
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