The National Police Service (NPS) officers on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, intercepted a group of women from Kiambu-based Lari Nyakinywa Women’s Group after they defied orders barring them from their Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Police Spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango in a statement issued on behalf of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said that the women were intercepted at Gilgil while heading to the venue of their meeting within a land owned by the group in Gilgil constituency.
Despite having approved the women’s earlier notification about their meeting, the police say they had barred the meeting after receiving intelligence reports that the current settlers on the land were going to clash with the group.
Police on cancelling the meeting
Dr. Onyango says the cancellation of the meeting was issued to the Lari Nyakinywa group chairperson to notify her members, but the group chose to proceed with the meeting instead.
“The National Police Service takes cognizance of the notification earlier issued by the Lari Nyakinywa Womens Group based in Kiambu County, regarding their planned Annual General Meeting to be held on January 29, 2025 within the land in Gilgil Constituency, Nakuru County.
“Whereas the same meeting was initially cleared by Police, we later received intelligence that the current settlers on the land were going to clash with the group. Consequently, the meeting was cancelled on security grounds, and notice for cancellation issued to Lari Nyakinywa Chairman to notify the members,” Dr. Onyango stated.
According to the police, the women mobilized themselves to proceed with their meeting, prompting an action from the officers.
Police intervention
Rift Valley Regional Commander has, however, moved to engage the group to address the standoff.
The police have urged the members of the Lari Nyakinywa Women’s Group to comply with their advice and disperse peaceably from Gilgil, as relevant government departments strive to find a lasting solution to the land issue.
“However, the intelligence we received yesterday revealed that the group had mobilized themselves to proceed with the meeting which prompted us to take necessary action to prevent them from travelling to Gilgil. The group however defied the police advice and they have been intercepted by police at Gilgil Junction.
“The Regional Police Commander Rift Valley is on the ground engaging with the Group at Gilgil Junction to address the standoff amicably. In the meantime, we are appealing to members of the Lari Nyakinywa Women’s Group to comply with the Police advice and disperse peaceably from Gilgil even as other relevant Government departments strive to find a lasting solution to the land issue. As a Service, we remain committed to our mandate of maintaining law and order,” the police statement read.
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