NAIROBI RESIDENTS BATTLE POLICE IN VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS

Chaos was centered around Maringo area, where an irate mob of youth cordoned off the road by burning tyres in protest. Reports further revealed that the group belonged to the recently formed National Hygiene Programme, and that they had taken to the streets to vent their frustrations over non-payment.

Anti-riot police swiflty swung into action and engaged the rioting crowd in a bid to quell the escalating demos.

"Pesa zetu, haki yetu (Our money, our right)," the angry mob chanted during the fierce exchange.

Teargas canisters were lobbed in the air as the bitter youth responded in kind by hurling stones at the police.

The mob also placed boulders across the road, forcing the police to close off Aoko Road to ensure the safety of innocent motorists.

National Hygiene Programme

The riots come just a day after Health CAS Rashid Aman warned the youth group under the special program to desist from soliciting money from citizens.

"I want to thank the young people who have enrolled into this programme for the work they have done so far. Many areas in our neighbourhoods have been cleared and blocked drainage systems have been opened,

"However, even as we acknowledge the good work by our youth in this program. We have also observed a disturbing behaviour by some of these youth whereby some of them are forcefully demanding money from individuals within the neighbourhoods that they are cleaning," he stated.

The National Hygiene Programme was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in an address to the nation on Saturday, April 25, where he went on to say that it would create jobs for the youth and safeguard the environment.

The President also said that the first phase of the programme, 26,000 youth would be engaged in the eight frontline counties with a target of 100,000 nationally over time.

Sources say that the rioting youth claimed to have worked for 3 weeks without pay.