Police had to deploy tear gas to disperse a crowd of youths who gave chase to a convoy carrying Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Trans Nzoia senator Allan Chesang, and Kiminini Member of Parliament Maurice Bisau.
The event held over the weekend, at the Kitale Agricultural Showground, had been organised under the government’s economic empowerment agenda targeting boda boda operators in Trans Nzoia County.
The state-sponsored function quickly descended into tension after the leaders addressed the gathering and made their contributions to the programme.
Instead of remaining at the venue, the officials drove off immediately, prompting an angry crowd, many of them boda boda riders in yellow high-visibility vests, to pursue the convoy on foot.
It is reported that the youths were incensed that the leaders left without distributing direct financial support.
As the convoy accelerated away, the crowd chanted ‘Wantam,’ a phrase used to signal dissatisfaction with President William Ruto’s administration, before police moved in with tear gas to restore order.
