A live Citizen TV public engagement forum in Busia County was disrupted after suspected hired goons stormed Alupe University, forcing presenters Josephat Odipo and Joseph Njane to cut short their broadcast.
The incident reportedly began when a resident of Butula asked the county government to identify schools where it had constructed Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms.
The question allegedly triggered commotion, with the intruders disrupting proceedings and preventing residents from raising concerns about county development.
As tensions escalated, the two presenters were forced to stop broadcasting, bringing the public engagement forum to a standstill. Police officers later intervened to restore order.
The programme had brought together Busia residents and county leaders to discuss development, healthcare infrastructure and education, providing residents with an opportunity to question their leaders.
The disruption has drawn condemnation from county leaders and residents, who criticised the interference with public participation and called for citizens to be allowed to hold their elected leaders accountable without intimidation.
Local reports have suggested the incident was politically motivated, although the circumstances surrounding the disruption remain unclear.
