[Protesters in Nyamira carrying a coffin with an effigy of President Uhuru Kenyatta. They blamed him of Chief Justice David Maraga’s woes. Photo/Mosomi Nyakundi]
Drama ensued in Keroka town for the better part of Thursday afternoon as hundreds of youths thronged into the streets in defense of embattled Chief Justice David Maraga.
Although he has not come out openly over continued criticism from President Uhuru Kenyatta, Maraga is said to be crafting a final judgment over nullification of Uhuru’s victory.
And in response to a petition seeking Maraga’s removal filed by Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, a close ally of Kenyatta, protestors carried an effigy of Uhuru and made several oscillations in town.
With a traditional replica of a Gusii community burial, protestors masqueraded as mourners, picked the effigy from an imaginary morgue and buried it within the town as they condemned Uhuru over Maraga’s woes.
“He should accept the court ruling and move on. Fighting Maraga is like fighting Gusii people,” said Simon Mokaya, ring leader of the protests.
Another resident who concealed identity added:”Let him face Raila in a transparent election. This time he should forget Gusii votes.”
Despite Ngunjiri’s petition, a section of Jubilee MPs have distanced themselves from it with some compelling him to withdraw by the end of business on Friday.
Also in defense of Maraga, Gusii leaders led by Borabu MP Ben Momanyi fired a warning to the head of state.