Residents of Maragua town, Murang’a County, gathered at the local bus park on Wednesday to discuss rising insecurity in the area. However, the meeting was abruptly postponed when a vehicle circulated with an announcement that it would be rescheduled.
The meeting was initially organized in response to the recent brutal murder of a three-year-old girl, Eliza Wamaitha, who went missing on February 9 and was found dead in a nearby swamp the following day. Days later, another body, that of an unidentified man, was discovered near the Murang’a-Maragua road, close to the local police station.
Concerned about the increasing crime rates, residents had hoped for an open discussion with security officials. Some claimed that law enforcement had “commercialized crime,” allegedly taking bribes from both suspects and victims.
Residents also accused the Nyumba Kumi initiative of being ineffective and demanded a complete overhaul of the security team. They cited various crimes, including theft, drug peddling, and even a recent case where a 60-year-old man was assaulted.
Maragua MP Mary Waithera, who later reconvened the meeting, criticized the security team for skipping it, suggesting they were avoiding accountability. She highlighted past violent crimes, including an arson attack in January that killed four children.
Deputy County Commissioner Gitonga Murungi defended the security officials, stating they withdrew from the meeting after it was politicized. He explained that mobilizers linked to the MP had framed the gathering as a platform to push for the removal of security officers, making their attendance “untenable.”
Authorities have since assured residents that a new meeting will be scheduled to address their concerns.
