Several travelers, including students, were left stranded in Embu town on Thursday, April 3, following the abrupt closure of the main matatu stage.
Preliminary reports indicate that the move to close the Kibugu Meru stage in Embu town is in preparation for President William Ruto’s scheduled visit on Friday, April 4, as part of his five-day development tour of the Mt. Kenya region.
President Ruto is set to visit the county, where the head of state and his team will engage residents and oversee key development projects.
However, the sudden closure of the Kibugu Meru stage caught many by surprise, disrupting traffic in the town and leaving commuters with limited alternatives.
In pictures seen by The Kenya Times, travelers, including students with backpacks, can be seen standing in small groups, looking around in confusion.
The students were travelling home for the holidays after the end of term one.
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Travelers stranded after Embu stage is closed
Other photos captured the usually bustling stage eerily empty, with no matatus in sight.
Further reports indicate that all vehicles have been relocated to the Kamuketha area, which is still within the town.
Additionally, reports suggest that the county government participated in a cleaning exercise at the stage ahead of President Ruto’s visit, during which he is expected to tour the area.
According to residents, the stage, which was constructed recently, has been operating for over 6 months. The County government of Embu has, however, not addressed the reason behind the closure.
President William Ruto began his tour of the Mt. Kenya region on Tuesday.
He visited Nyandarua, Murang’a, Meru and Kirinyaga counties on Wednesday and Thursday, where he inspected ongoing initiatives and addressed public gatherings.
On Tuesday, Ruto urged leaders to prioritize development over populist politics, calling for unity amid regional tensions.
“I want to assure people of this region that I am not mad to sideline you. I know you voted for me through your own willingness and as such am liable in ensuring that this region does not lag behind in development, but I will not engage in politics that propagates idle talk, conflict and deception,” said the Head of State.
Ruto further challenged the residents to hold him personally responsible for the lack of development projects in the regions.
President Ruto’s Mt. Kenya tour
Also, he defended his move to form a broad-based government, saying divisive politics based on tribal or regional lines has no space in the country.
“No community, county, or region will be sidelined by the Broad-Based Government. We are going to walk together to make our country more inclusive, prosperous, and better for all of us,” he said when he addressed residents of Nanyuki town.
“I am not a drunkard, nor am I confused, I know what I am doing, I know that if I do not deliver on what we agreed in 2022, you will vote me out. I am going to amaze you with what I will strive to achieve.”
Also Read: Kimani Ichung’wa Rejected in Mount Kenya in Front of Ruto
Despite earlier concerns over hostility following his fallout with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto received a warm welcome in his first two days.
However, National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ichung’wah on Thursday was booed and heckled by residents of Nyandarua in front of the President.
MP Ichung’wah, who had accompanied Ruto during the launch of the Last Mile Connectivity at Ol Kalou Town, stepped forward to speak when the crowd started heckling him.
The MP was forced to cut short his speech as the chants of the people overpowered his voice.
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