Eugine Wabwile 
TANDAO MEDIA NEWS.
Maragua Member of Parliament Mary Wamaua faced a hostile reception on Monday afternoon as angry residents of Kimorori Grounds in Kenol chased her off the site amid mounting tensions over a controversial development project.
A Footage obtained showed a visibly agitated crowd shouting and surging toward the MP, who was swiftly escorted away by security personnel, including a police officer.The confrontation stems from long-standing opposition to government plans to repurpose the public sports grounds for infrastructure development.
Locals claim the land used daily by youth for sports and recreation is being earmarked for government offices and possibly affordable housing, sparking fears of displacement and loss of vital community space.
In 2022, the Maragua NG-CDF committee allocated Ksh24 million for the construction of sub-county headquarters, an ICT centre, and a modern court on the grounds. Since then, youth groups have staged multiple protests, demanding the preservation of the field for mental wellness and talent development.
“We want to grow our talents, but now they are taking over this field; what will we do?” one youth lamented. “Sometimes we have up to 15 teams playing here,where will they go?”Despite the uproar, MP Wamaua remains defiant.
Speaking to KNA, she affirmed the legality of the project and dismissed claims of land grabbing.“How can one grab the security powerhouse of a sub-county and construct their own houses? We are building government offices,” she stated.
THE AUTHOR’S PICK.
As tensions escalate, residents continue to call for alternative development sites that won’t compromise their only recreational haven. The clash underscores a broader debate over urban planning, youth empowerment, and community inclusion in public projects.
