Tension Grips Eldoret as Police, County Officials Attempt Dialogue with Protesters
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Commander Mwanthi and County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Nyale tried to engage with the protesters
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander engages protesters along the blocked Eldoret–Uganda highway amid ongoing demonstrations. Image by Elvis Wasike
Tension remains high in Eldoret as demonstrators continue to block the busy Uganda−Eldoret highway, engaging in fierce confrontations with anti‑riot police. The protests—largely driven by discontent among youth—have brought business to a standstill and triggered a major law enforcement response.
Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed that security presence in the Central Business District (CBD) has been significantly ramped up. “Security has been heightened in the Eldoret CBD following the ongoing demonstrations,” Mwanthi stated, citing expanded patrols and strategic deployment of security officers.
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Commander Mwanthi and County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Nyale tried to engage with the protesters earlier today. However, the demonstrators, chanting anti-government slogans, declined to back down.
Many businesses within the CBD remain shut, as owners cite fears of violence. Streets that are usually teeming with activity have fallen quiet, with the presence of riot police now a common sight.
Anticipating potential attacks, Uasin Gishu County enforcement officers have formed human barricades around the County Administration offices. Armed with “rungus” (wooden clubs), officers are standing guard to avoid a repeat of the violent events of June 25 last year, when rioters torched parts of the county complex, including courtrooms, government vehicles, and the public library.
Authorities continue to monitor the volatile situation. While police and county security are reinforcing critical infrastructure, protesters—many mobilized via social media—show no signs of dispersing.
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