Police in Kenya’s Migori county have arrested 13 people who were part of a rowdy mob that raided the office of Governor Ochillo Ayacko demanding county employment.
Chaos broke out moments after the group of youth forced their way into the county headquarters, demanding an audience with the governor.
They were in two different groups with both demanding to be incorporated into the county administration as employees.
They also claimed that they could not continue contending with unemployment.
Unaware of Governor Ayacko ‘s absence, the angry youth started attacking each other with crude weapons forcing staff to flee before police in nearby police station intervened.
Police had been called to calm the situation where they fired in the air and used teargas canisters to disperse the rowdy youths.
Staff at the premises who were shocked by the happenings sought scampered for safety as some of the rowdy youth engaged police officers in a cat and mouse game inside the premises.
Migori county commander Mark Wanjala said they moved with speed to arrest the situation and have detained 13 youths who were alleged to be involved in the chaos.
“We have launched our investigations into the matter,” Mr. Wanjala who said they had received further reports that the youths wanted to remove Migori County Secretary Oscar Olima from office.
However, Migori Deputy Governor Gimunta Mahiri who addressed the press at his office in a joint press briefing where County Secretary Olima and Finance and Economic Chief Officer Odoyo Achuora were present downplayed the chaos.
Dr. Mahiri noted that there were two groups of youths who wanted see the governor.
He noted that the youths who had not booked appointments with the governor clashed at the gate as they both wanted to enter the governor’s premises first.
According to the deputy governor, Governor Ayacko was not in the office.
He encouraged members of the public to always ensure they booked appointments before seeing the governor, as he said that they have the right to come and see the governor.
