Education cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i talks to a pupil of Githurai Primary school during the rehearsals day. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i on Monday came face to face with the increasing temperatures of political intolerance in the country.
While visiting a Kawangware school following the chaos that came after the repeat elections, Matiang'i had to be whisked away as angry residents bayed for him.
He was as Gatina Primary School when rioters believed to be supporters of opposition NASA invaded the place unannounced.
His arrival had been kept secret but after some minutes, word went round of his presence, prompting the rioters to assemble and lay the ambush.
However, his security detail tricked the youths by removing the ministerial flag from his car and making it appear like that of other citizens.
He had completed his speech to the candidates when the youths started pelting stones into the school compound, forcing police to respond by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.
While leaving, his security decided to avoid Kawangware's Congo area where it was said youths had assembled in greater numbers to attack him.
“His [Matiangi’s] handlers were very clever. They chose to change direction and go back through Lavington. Otherwise, if he continued towards Congo, he would have been lynched or police would have killed many to save him,” a resident said.
“The NASA supporters turned to other vehicles after they failed to identify the CS’s car,” he added.