Court throws out County govt. instigated case against 2 MCAs, 6 Chwele market officials

 In summary;

• Chwele Market unrest
• Arrests
• Accusations
• Mainstream media coverage (video)
• Leaders speak after securing release of MCAs (audio)

Court throws out County govt. instigated case against MCAs

On 25^th of February 2019 the Chwele/Kabuchai MCA Hon James Barasa Mukhongo and his Mukuyuni counterpart Hon. Meshark Wekesa Simiyu visited Chwele market in Company of Khalaba MCA Hon. Majimbo Okumu, Lwandanyi MCA Hon. Tony Barasa, Bokoli MCA Hon. Jack Kawa, Siboti MCA Hon. Wamusai Simiyu among others to see and hear for themselves the grievances of Chwele Market traders. Traders had lots of concerns starting with the status of the market in relation to taxes demanded to pre-election pledges by governor Wangamati.

This visit followed the arrest of area MCA Hon. Mukhongo on the previous day 24^th Feb 2020 allegedly for inciting Chwele Market Traders against paying of taxes. The hardliner MCA who insisted that the facility needed a facelift before the govt. continues collecting taxes found himself in hot soup despite the fact that Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati had promised mama-mbogas and bodabodas a reprieve on payment of taxes upon his assumption of office.

The County government had earlier insisted that it will not allow any protests to be conducted and therefore it ensured over 100 enforcement officers from other parts of the county arrived in Chwele commandeered by one of Wangamatis security detail, a former army man and a known goon from Mumias who also came along with several goons on ‘expatriate” duty. Their role was beat “sense’ into anyone participating in the unrest.

The MCA arrived 0800hours at around to find a few County enforcement officers (Kanjos) manning the gate as excited traders gathered around their leaders as they walked to the market for an inspection. Noticing the presence of Kanjos was raising temperatures the MCAs had a conversation with the Kanjos asking them to leave the scene and allow them to talk to the traders… a move that was agreed to and was briefly implemented by the Kanjos.

The MCAs then had a conversation with the Chwele OCS and a contingent of Police where they were allowed to talk to the traders with a view of calming them down. Just when the MCAs were calming down the traders, Kanjos started throwing stones directly at MCAs vehicles and into the gathered traders a move that prompted a stampede as well as exchange of stones between traders and Kanjos.

At this point the Kanjos became inhuman to the point of throwing stones directly into shops destroying property as well as hurting innocent traders… this was largely blamed on the imported Kanjos (goons dressed in enforcement uniform) who had nothing to lose even if they stoned the innocent elderly passing by. It’s at this point that it was known the Kanjos too sustained serious wounds with some seeking treatment paid for by the county in vain.

NTV on the market unrest; 

Hon. Meshark Wekesa aka Museveni was arrested at about 2000hours same day 25^th February 2019, bundled into a waiting Landcruiser that was escorted by a fully loaded Police lorry and an unmarked police car. They then raced all the way to Bungoma Police where on arrival they found Kanduyi MP Hon Wafula Wamunyinyi, several MCAs led by Khalaba MCA Hon. Majimbo Okumu, Bukembe West MCA Hon. Lusenaka, Siboti MCA Hon Wamusai among others waiting to receive them. #eDDUHSimiyu was at the Police and therefore updated #iKUWEiKUWE followers on events as they happened.

Deputy Governor Ngoma was also accused of ensuring Chwele/Kabuchai MCA Hon. Barasa Mukhongo and the entire market committee were arrested of over revenue collection

The Chwele Market Management Committee;

1. Ben Paul Wangila
2. Gerishom W. Watima
3. Titus M. Wanyama
4. Jairus W. Ngokho
5. Ben Wanyonyi
6. Harrison M. Gathongo

The leaders who gathered at the police station ensured that Museveni was out on a 20,000/= cash bail with a promise to present themselves in court the following day

Speeches after Hon. Museveni’s release; https://t.me/iKUWEiKUWEupdates/268

Accusations;

On 26^th February 2019 the two elected leaders and the six Market Committee members were arraigned in court accused by;

1. Dan Nyongesa
2. Maina Kisuya
3. Wakasiaka – owner of building that was allegedly attacked on waheshimiwa’s order
4. Khaoya – enforcement officer

The two leaders were charged with;

1. Incitement
2. Resisting arrest
3. Violence
4. Destruction of property

Since then the two Ford Kenya leaders swore to ensure Wangamati fulfills his pre-election pledges to residents of Bungoma but most importantly Chwele traders

While the case was going on Wangamati’s attempt to replace the Chwele market leadership was thwarted by the market traders who insisted that it’s their right and mandate to choose their leaders and they would not work with anyone else until the current leaderships term ends. Then they’d consider replacing depending on performance.

After a few appearances the complainants abruptly stopped coming to court prompting the defendants to ask the court to throw out the case which was granted on 21^st Dec 2020. The defendants have 14 days to appeal.

⛔️ Follow the links below to our Telegram pages and access the AUDIO clips of speeches as delivered by MCAs after Hon Museveni’s release. ??

1⃣.  https://t.me/iKUWEiKUWEupdates

2⃣. https://t.me/joinchat/AAAAAE7j7LbAN-3pBGBXlQ

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