sent by Nicholas Mireri

Minister rains blows and kicks on youths

By Dan Nakundi

A CABINET MINISTER yesterday caused a spectacle when he was engaged in a fierce fist fight with a horde of youths who had demanded from him a share of “PNU campaign money” at a commercial bank in Nyamira district.

Minister for National Planning and Development, Henry Obwocha, who is also outgoing MP for West Mugirango constituency was cornered by the rowdy youths demanding that the minister gives them handouts from the PNU kitty.

Angry Obwocha who was not accompanied by his security detail was unable to contain the marauding youths and in a fit of anger slapped one of them, triggering a knuckle fight.

A curious crowd gathered at the scene to witness the spectacle and did not care to intervene as the minister displayed his prowess in martial arts.

Some even cheered him on and offered tips on how best to tackle his foes.

But Obwocha’s driver whisked him away and sped off as the youths heckled him.

The youths were demanding money from Obwocha alleging that President Mwai Kibaki had given him funds to mobilise resident to attend Kibaki’s tour of the area today. One of the youths condemned the minister’s conduct by engaging in fights with voters publicly adding that he had approached the former MP for a hand shake be slapped.

Speaking to Kenya Times on phone, Obwocha said the money hungry youths in Nyamira town had given him a hard time, especially when he visited the bank for personal purposes. Obwocha advised the youths to stop being used by his political opponents to cause mayhem and undue disturbance to politicians saying he was fed up with the emerging nuisance among the youth. He noted that they had pushed him over the edge to a point of overreacting. Later the youths were treated at Nyamira district Hospital and were yet to record statements at Nyamira police station by the time we went to press.