The Athi River sub- county's Madaraka Day Celebrations almost ended prematurely on Wednesday after the event turned chaotic few minutes before the President’s speech was read by area deputy county commissioner Albert Kimathi.
Mavoko Stadium in Athi River town, where the region’s state function was underway turned into a battling ground after Athi River Township MCA Michael Mutua publicly assaulted a youth.
Mutua slapped the youth on the cheek who had unsuccessfully attempted to grab a microphone he was using to address thousands of Mavoko residents who had attended the function inviting the beatings from tens of angry youths.
The unarmed youths grabbed the MCA from the podium and descended on him with blows and kicks for close to 15 minutes as they protected the youth who also engaged him in a feast fight after the attack.
The mayhem happened in full glare of journalists’ cameras under watch of the region’s security chiefs led by the deputy county commissioner, outgoing police boss Kizito Mutoro, AP commander Stephene Matu, DCIO Joseph Mumira and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau.
The event was peaceful at the time Mutua started giving out his speech but the situation changed when he went political.
The MCA who has in several occasions publicly announced he will be contesting for Mavoko Parliamentary sit in 2017 elections was in his speech discrediting performance of the area MP in his presence, what angered the youth.
He claimed Makau had refused to allocate CDF funds for conclusion of the stalled proposed Athi River Level Four Hospital in his constituency that was started by former defunct Kathiani CDF before the larger constituency was divided into two, Kathiani and Mavoko.
“I have offered myself to help Mavoko residents achieve development, Mavoko CDF under patronage of Makau has not achieved much. There is poor infrastructure in Mavoko and it has failed to complete the proposed Athi River Level Four Hospital started by the former MP,” said Mutua.
Makau was not an MP, but Mayor for Mavoko Municipal Council then.
The claims angered Makau’s supporters who first booed the MCA severally before the charged youth moved from a crowd to grab the microphone from him.
The MCA who also tried fighting back at the youths was rescued by armed administration police officers and directed to his sit at the dais where he sat dumb for the rest of the meeting.
The order was then restored shortly before supporters of the two leaders seated in one of the tents started hurling chairs at each other.
Security officers intervened immediately to contain the situation leading to arrests of two youths while some residents left the function for fear of their safety.
The meeting resumed successfully with Makau condemning the incident.
He cautioned the youths against fighting in support of their leaders but instead learn to be tolerant to ensure peace, unity and tolerance in the constituency at all times.