Tension flared in Naivasha on Thursday, November 6, after a vehicle was set on fire during Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika’s visit to Kihoto Estate, where she was assessing the situation of residents displaced by rising waters from Lake Naivasha.
The visit, meant to offer relief and reassurance to flood victims, descended into chaos when crowds surged forward to reach the Governor after her address.
The situation quickly spiraled out of control, resulting in the torching of a trailer parked along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.
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Among the vehicles destroyed was a trailer transporting Bibles to Uganda.
In a bizarre twist, the Bibles reportedly survived the inferno unscathed, even as the vehicle was reduced to ashes.
“The mob stopped the vehicle and ordered me to step outside. They took my phone, shoes, and jacket and asked for money so they could let me go. When they started going through my phone, I took off and ran,” the shaken driver recounted, adding that he narrowly escaped with his life.
“If they had managed to break into the trailer and steal the Bibles, it would have been two different cases. I’m a driver in transit—the trailer has been burnt down, but the Bibles remained intact,” he said.
Witnesses said the violence erupted moments after Governor Kihika concluded her speech, during which she promised to provide transport money and relief support to affected families.
When residents rushed forward to seek help, security officers reportedly blocked access to the Governor, sparking anger among some of the attendees.
“This is a result of frustration from the youth. They were promised money, and when it wasn’t given, they turned violent. Politicians need to keep their word, but we condemn this act and urge our youth to maintain peace,” one resident told reporters.
Governor Susan Kihika’s visit came amid worsening flooding in Kihoto Estate, where swelling waters have displaced thousands and submerged homes.
She revealed that over 4,000 residents have been affected, calling the situation dire and in need of urgent response.
“I was deeply moved by the plight of women and children stranded in flooded houses deep within Kihoto Estate, in urgent need of evacuation,” she said.
The Nakuru County Government has since deployed trucks, lorries, and boats to help relocate affected families, with more than 2,000 people already moved to safer ground.
To streamline relief operations, Governor Kihika announced the formation of a multi-agency committee comprising County Government officials, National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), and faith leaders.
The committee will oversee evacuation, shelter coordination, and the distribution of food and essential supplies.
Kihika also appealed to churches, schools, and local businesses to offer temporary shelter and humanitarian aid to displaced families as the county continues to battle the effects of the flooding.