Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah endured a hostile reception after he was heckled by an irate crowd in the presence of President William Ruto on Thursday, April 3.
Ichung’wah was among the dignitaries who accompanied the president during the launch of the Last Mile Connectivity at Ol Kalou Town, as Ruto continues to launch state projects in Mt Kenya.
Nyandarua residents were fairly receptive during the president's address, but things took a turn when the microphone was handed to the Kikuyu Member of Parliament.
In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the discontented crowd can be seen openly protesting Ichung’wah's address with jeers and whistles, briefly halting the lawmaker's address.
"Let me tell you. No one can shout me down. I cannot be intimidated," Ichung'wah can be heard saying after the first round of heckling.
Despite the noise, Ichung’wah tried to weather the storm through a greeting, which was only met with louder jeers.
"Mr President, the people of Kware know affordable housing is here, and all the work (placing cabro in affordable housing units) here should be given to the youth," Ichung'wah added in an apparent attempt to appease the crowd, who shouted down his address in protest.
Ichung'wah, seemingly overwhelmed by the jeers from the mammoth crowd, gave in and passed the microphone back, but not without a parting shot.
Before handing over the microphone, Ichung'wah fired a warning to the crowd, saying, "I want to tell you, President Ruto, that here in Ol Kalou and the whole of Nyandarua, no one can intimidate me."
The Majority Leader was not the only one who had to endure a hostile crowd during the Nyandarua tour, as the county's Woman Representative, Gitau Faith Wairimu, was also jeered during her address.
Meanwhile, the president confirmed several projects in Nyandarua, including the construction of eight markets, which he emphasised will provide farmers with a stable and reliable space to sell their produce.
According to Ruto, procurement was underway, while some of the markets, including one in Ndaragua and Mile Kumi, were 60 per cent done.
