KENYAN MPs BLOCKED FROM ENTERING PARLIAMENT

Protestors in Nairobi Kenya demand audience  from a minister. They protested the increasing high cost of living.

Kenyan MPs had a rough time getting into parliament yesterday afternoon.

They were denied entry into Parliament by protestors who were calling on the reduction of prices of common goods.

The protestors demanded that the   price of maize floor and fulel should be reduced.

On Monday, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi anounced that they had reduced excise duty by 30 percent on kerosene and 20 percent on diesel.

However, the Finance Minister can only vary taxes by a maximum of 30 percent.

 The protestors who comprised of the Bunge la mwananchi, the release political prisoners, and the Consumer federation started their protest at Uhuru park and marched through Kenyatta Avenue , Kimathi street , Harambee Avenue and Parliament  road.

They made stop over’s at the Office of the Prime minister and office of the president before proceeding to parliament.

Outside Parliament, they denied MPs entry, hurled insults at them and threw placards at their cars.



Protestors run after Charity Ngilus car on Parliament road. 20-04-2011.



“If they do not reduce the price of Unga, I will be going to parliament to ask them to do that.” said Fredrick Odhiambo a protestor.

Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba was the first to arrive. He was blocked from getting into parliament and ordered out of his range rover.

“You are not alone. You are heroes because you are representing millions of Kenyans out there. Give me your petition and I am going to table it in parliament this afternoon.” Said Ababu amid  jeers from the crowd.

“You are lying. Since when have you cared about us.” shouted the protestors.

According to one of the policemen, he said he saw one of the protestors snatch Namwambas phone.

Agriculture assistant minister Gideon Ndambuki stepped out of his car and was whisked away by the security.

 Olkalau MP Erustus Mureith had to throw a bundle of a hundred shillings  notes into the air only for the protestors to scramble for it and he safely made his way into parliament.

However, deputy speaker Farah Maalim wasn’t lucky and he had to elbow one of the protestors who tried to pickpocket him.

“I wish he had given us his phone.” Said one of his bodyguards  to his  colleague.

Maalim was walking from Continental house to parliament.

The convoy of Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka turned away once they realized they were running into the protestors.

Also, water minister Charity Ngilu, Webuye MP Alfred Sambu and other Ministers and MPs drove away once they saw the protestors.

MPs who managed to get into parliament were, Kisumu Town East Olago Oluoch, John Mbadi , Soita Shitanda, Kiema Kilonzo, Fedinand Waititu and Jamleck Kamau.

“Don’t worry you guys. We are here blocking the road and telling these MPs that the cost of living must come down.”   Fredrick Onyango shouted to motorists held in traffic.

Among the protestors were former MPS Paul Muite and  Mwandawiro Mgangha, Yash Pal Ghai and Jill Cotrell.

“In this country, the economic and the social policy is for the rich. We have a bad government and a government that cannot feed its people should not say that it is sovereign.” Muite said.

He added that if the government cannot bring down the prices of maize floor and fuel, then the wananchi must bring the government down.

Human rights activist Maurice Odhiambo called on the government to complete investigations on  the Triton saga.

“We must fight these thugs.The finance PS said that 270 Billion is stolen every year.This a quarter of our revenue yet every problem we have has a root in corruption.” He said.

He accused MPs for using all means available to raise money for next year’s campaigns.

“We are here to tell the PM and the president the truth. We are just in an economy where bad things are growing. Impunity , corruption and the cost of living. The coalition government has failed.” Said Okiya  Omtata .

The protestors called on Finance minister  Uhuru Kenyatta and Energy Minister  Kiraitu Murungi to resign.

“You haven’t done us much good. You just drive in.” they told MP Kiema Kilonzo adding that they do not need condoms but food.

They vowed not to leave parliament buildings unless they are addressed by speaker Kenneth Marende.