Maragua Member of Parliament Mary Wamaua on Monday, September 22, 2025, faced a dramatic confrontation in Kenol, Murang’a County, after angry residents chased her away from Kimorori Grounds.
Videos circulating online showed the lawmaker being hurriedly escorted out by security personnel, including a police officer, as locals shouted and advanced toward her.
Residents Protest Land Development Plans
The tension stemmed from ongoing government plans to develop Kimorori Grounds, with residents opposing the move. Reports indicate that the site has been earmarked for the construction of government offices, and some locals fear it may also be taken up for an affordable housing project.
The plans, first introduced in 2022, have sparked outrage several times, particularly among the youth who view the field as their primary sporting and training hub.
That same year, the Maragua NG-CDF committee allocated Ksh24 million for the construction of a sub-county headquarters, ICT centre, and modern law courts on the property.
Youth Push Back To Protect Sports Ground
Young people in the area have consistently rejected the project, demanding that the field remain available for sports, recreation, and mental well-being.
“We want to grow our talents, but now they are taking over this field; what will we do? Sometimes up to 15 teams play here daily. Taking it away will push young people into crime,” one resident lamented.
Others argued that instead of seizing the entire field, the government should have invested in facilities such as washrooms, dressing rooms, and improved sports infrastructure.
MP Mary Wamaua Defends Project
Despite the backlash, MP Mary Wamaua maintained that the project would continue, stressing that the land had been legally earmarked for development.
She dismissed claims of land grabbing for housing projects, stating:
“How can one grab the security powerhouse of a sub-county and construct their own houses? We are building government offices.”
What’s Next?
The clash highlights the growing tension between government development agendas and community needs for recreation spaces. With locals vowing to resist the takeover, the dispute is likely to intensify if no compromise is reached.
