Kimani Ichung’wa to lead fundraiser to replace matatu torched during Azimio demos
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa will on May 31, 2023, lead a fundraising exercise for the purchase of a new matatu bus to replace the one burnt during the Azimio protests.
According to the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), the exercise will be held at one of the city’s restaurants in the evening.
A fundraising campaign has been organised by the matatu fraternity to raise money to buy another unit.
On May 2, 2023, as Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition took to the streets to demand attention from the Kenya Kwanza government, one of the matatus plying the Ngong road route was torched.
The bus was operating under the Compliant Sacco where it was torched by thugs during the protests.
According to Henry Mungai Muiruri, the owner of the burnt bus, his vehicle was his only source of income.
The owner also said that he had taken out loans with the bus, leaving him with endless thoughts about how he would manage to pay them off.
“I can say that this bus was my means of survival and I don’t know what to do now. This vehicle was on loan. I am asking the government or whoever comes to help me because I don’t know what to do with my family,” said Mr Muiruri.
The driver managed to escape unhurt during the protests and blamed the police for doing little to rescue his matatu.
This comes as the Azimio and President William Ruto’s government continue inter-party talks to end the impasse that has led to demonstrations.
According to the latest information from the opposition side on peace talks, the Kenya Kwanza has agreed to suspend the process of recruiting new IEBC commissioners until all parties agree on the way forward.
Azimio has also said that the government should stay out of the affairs of the Jubilee Party, one of the opposition’s constituent parties.
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