Police officers are mainly known in headlines for the wrong reasons but this time, police officers in Bungoma have become the darling of the people following their ‘miraculous’ handling of the peaceful protestors in the streets.
Unlike other towns and incidents before, where officers would hurl teargas canisters and live bullets at the protestors, officers from Bungoma Police Station chose to guard the protestors without harm, a rear gesture that has earned them accolades from all corners.
The Bungoma Gen Z, joining colleagues across the country in the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests, gathered at St Damiano on the dualcarriageway where they were attacked by a handful of hired goons who were out to disrupt the peaceful protests.
However, with the help of the police, the young men and women braved on with the demos, chanting the anti-Ruto slogans and blowing vuvuuzelas and whistles.
The young army proceeded to Kanduyi as the police trucks provided cover, ensuring that no protestor is injured and businesses operate as normal.
At around 10.04am, the protestors, now in thousands, reached the airstrip roundabout where a handful of hired goons launched an attack towards them to but the determined Gen Z outnumbered them, forcing the goons to seek refuge at a makeshift structure 400 metres away.
Two police trucks provided backup as the youth fished out the goons from their hideouts, giving them a good beating before handing them over to the officers.
The incident did not distrust the youth from their course and the journey continued as planned, marching on the highway towards Kanduyi and then back to town.
The love between police officers and the protestors grew fonder and fonder with officers seen sharing bottles of water with the protestors at the amazement of onlookers.
Some business operators could throw cartons of drinking water into the police trucks to help them hydrate. The officers would then pick what’s enough for them and throw the rest to the protestors, like parents share food with their children.
Ironically, the protestors never interfered with business operators as local shops remained open, leaving officers with no work to do other than providing backup to the protestors.
Other towns across the country must have been envious of the Bungoma unfolding as teargas canisters and live bullets rained terror in their areas, especially in Nairobi.
The gesture by the Bungoma officers has left thousands admiring their professionalism, with locals demanding that they all get promoted to senior positions in the service.
Yesterday’s incident has now demonstrated that it’s possible for police to allow peaceful demos without any drama.
The only teargas of the day was deep in the evening when a section of the protestors attempted to access area MP John Makali’s residence where they were repelled by the officers guarding the premises. Makali voted Yes to the draconian Finance Bill, angering his electorates.
At the end of the day, everyone went back home with a win; a win for the peaceful Gen Z and a win for the police officers.