Naivasha: Drama as youth and politicians fight over public toilet cash
A group of youths have taken over the control of one of the public toilets in Naivasha town, accusing some politicians and senior county workers of selfishly benefiting from the facility.
The youths, under the Mountain Group Movers, moved into the facility located at the Nairobi–Naivasha matatu terminus, saying they had followed all the laid-down procedures.
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However, hours later, Viwandani MCA Mwangi Muraya termed the takeover illegal, stating that there was already a group legally contracted by the county to run the facility for three years.
For years, the busy and lucrative facility has been at the centre of disputes between youths and incoming leaders due to the thousands of shillings collected daily.
According to the group’s leader, Edward Gathitu, the public toilet had for years benefited some MCAs and politicians allied to the current regime.
He said that the contract for the current group had expired, but some county officials who were benefiting from it had failed to give other applicants a chance.
“We have decided to move in and take control of this toilet as it will benefit dozens of youths instead of a few individuals,” he said.
The group’s secretary, David Mbugua, noted that they had waited for years to take over the running of the toilet, adding that it would benefit jobless local youths.
“For years, we have been involved in planting trees around Naivasha, and after applying to take over the management of the toilet, we decided to move in,” he said.
This was echoed by Simon King’ori, who said they could no longer stand by and watch as the facility continued to benefit a few individuals.
“The people who have been running this toilet are fully employed by the county, unlike the jobless youths who want to earn a living from it,” he said.
But Viwandani MCA Mwangi Muraya, who has been accused of being among those benefiting from the facility, dismissed the takeover, adding that he would ensure the youths were removed.
“There are procedures on how this facility operates, and currently, there is a group legally running it. We will not allow a few individuals to interfere with public facilities,” he said.
