MP, Nine Journalists Arrested During Eviction of Over 5,000 Families from Disputed Embu Land

10 people including an MP and nine journalists were on Saturday arrested during the ongoing eviction of over 5,000 families from a disputed parcel of land in Makima, Embu County.

Mbeere South MP Geoffrey King’ang’i, who is opposed to the evictions, was arrested while consoling families whose houses and businesses were demolished. 

Police officers also apprehended nine journalists who were covering the evictions and protests by affected residents.

They include Solomon Mwaniki (Standard Media), Dennis Fundi (Meru TV), William Moige (Standard), Josephat Mukundi, Peter Mungai (Citizen TV), Brian Malila (County FM), Mary Wangari (Coro FM), Felix Ndambuki (Athiani FM), and Dan Makenge (U- TV).

The 10 were detained at Matuu police station in the neighboring Machakos County.

One person was shot and seriously wounded during the incident.

Authorities are evicting people from the disputed piece of land they claim belongs to the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda).

MP King’ang’i while addressing reporters condemned the action, terming the evictions as illegal and inhumane.

The exercise saw Ndunguni market demolished, with traders who were yet to remove their wares suffering huge losses.

Nominated MP Cecily Mbarire also condemned the demolitions accusing TARDA of violating the rights of the residents, who claim no notice was given to them.