There was a moment of heightened tension in Naivasha after more than 100 workers from the town’s slaughterhouse stormed the local police station to protest a series of attacks allegedly carried out by a gang from one of the town’s estates.
Armed with their tools of trade and wearing blood-stained, dusty coats, the workers threatened to take matters into their own hands if police failed to act on the attacks, which have left several of their colleagues injured. The workers said four of their members had recently been attacked, prompting fears of retaliation.
Tension has been simmering for over a month between the slaughterhouse workers and youths from County Council estate. The youths accuse the workers of stealing livestock, allegations the workers have strongly denied.
The situation nearly turned violent when armed youths confronted the workers, but police intervened in time to prevent clashes. Several workers reported having been attacked in recent weeks, with some sustaining serious injuries.
Slaughterhouse chairman Peter Njogu cited an incident in which a worker was assaulted, suffered a fractured arm and had his house vandalised over claims of cattle theft.
He said it later emerged that the animal in question had been sold by a family member, not stolen.
Workers say the repeated attacks have left them injured and traumatised, calling for urgent police action to guarantee their safety.
Naivasha DCIO Isaac Kiama confirmed that investigations are underway and that officers are pursuing suspected gang leaders as efforts continue to restore calm in the town.
