Murang’a midnight protests: What we know so far
By Dan Kauna, August 15, 2026Angry residents and youth in Kiria-ini, Mathioya Constituency, Murang’a County took to the streets on the night of Friday, 14 August, 2026, staging protests outside local government offices and burning tyres along major roads.
What happened during the midnight protests?
Hundreds of young people filled Kiria-ini market centre, blowing horns and lighting bonfires that temporarily blocked transport.
Video seen by K24 shows protesters carrying wooden sticks and chanting outside the Mathioya Sub-County Headquarters.
In the video, crowds surround a white tipper truck parked at the official entrance, with several young men climbing onto its cargo bed while demanding that the area Member of Parliament leave office.
What caused the youth to protest?
Protesters claim that non-residents were secretly brought into Kiria-ini in buses and trucks to transfer their voting details ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the demonstration, Kiria-ini boda boda chairman Madocho accused the lawmaker of trying to manipulate the voter register after failing to deliver on his mandate.
“Our area MP has failed in his roles and he has brought people who are not from here to have their votes changed so those people will vote here for him. But we warn him that here it is worse than Ol Kalou, and such gimmicks will not work,” Madocho said.
Video seen by K24 shows young men displaying national identity cards to the camera, claiming the documents belonged to people who were ferried from elsewhere.
One of the youth holding the documents said, “These IDs belong to people brought in to change vote details, but we caught them”.
What other issues were raised?
Locals also voiced anger over unfulfilled development promises and unreleased school funds.
A protester, Wainaina, pointed out that parents are stranded because bursary funds meant for school children were never sent to schools.
“We are also angry because bursary money meant for school children was not remitted,” Wainaina said.
Protesters also cited delayed road construction projects and an unfinished sports court in Mathioya as reasons for their outrage.
What is the situation now?
Traffic has resumed along roads in Kiria-ini after bonfires were cleared, but youth say they will keep watch over the constituency offices to block any further voter transfer attempts.
Police officers are patrolling the area to maintain order.