Kirinyaga Central Constituency Member of Parliament Gachoki Gitari has renovated the NG-CDF office in Kerugoya that was vandalized and looted during the recent Saba Saba demonstrations that rocked the town and other parts of the county.
The MP said the destruction, which included theft of vital equipment, significantly disrupted service delivery and stalled several public programs that depend on the office for coordination.
Speaking during the reopening ceremony, Gitari described the damage as a major setback to the constituency’s development agenda.
He explained that the vandalism forced the office to operate with severe limitations and, in some cases, shut down essential services altogether.
According to the MP, key equipment including computers, printers, furniture, and administrative tools had been stolen or destroyed, leaving staff unable to serve residents effectively.
He noted that the reconstruction phase has now been completed, restoring the building to a functional state. However, the office is yet to be fully equipped with the necessary machinery and ICT tools needed for full operations. Gitari assured residents that this final phase will be completed by January next year, after which the office is expected to resume all its services without interruption.
The MP emphasized that the vandalism not only slowed down development but also resulted in financial losses that would have otherwise been directed to community projects.
He warned that public resources take time and taxpayer money to assemble and should never be targets of political frustration.
Gitari used the platform to caution residents particularly young people against being lured into destructive political activities. He said preliminary findings suggest that the acts of destruction were politically driven, alleging that a group of individuals had mobilized youths to cause chaos and damage public property.
He warned that such manipulation undermined the future of young people and places communities in direct conflict with the law. The MP insisted that those who organized and financed the violence must face justice, noting that his office was collaborating closely with national police to trace and prosecute the masterminds of the destruction.
Gitari assured the public that the investigation is making progress and promised transparency once it is concluded.
“The destruction of public resources is not just an attack on government, but an attack on residents who rely on these facilities. Think long-term and avoid being used in political schemes that bring no benefit to their lives,” he urged youth.
Gitari also raised concerns about development projects that stalled due to the vandalism, particularly the Ajira Digital Programme, which had been coordinated through the NG-CDF office.
He said all necessary equipment for the program will be procured and the initiative will resume stronger than before.
The MP added that through his good working relationship with the national government, the constituency has continued to attract support for youth-targeted projects, ICT hubs, and economic empowerment programs.
The reopening ceremony was also attended by Kirinyaga Central Deputy County Commissioner, Josephine Mwengi, who affirmed that investigations into the vandalism are ongoing. She condemned the destruction and reminded young people that public offices belong to the residents of Kirinyaga Central and must be safeguarded as shared community assets.
Mwengi urged local youth to distance themselves from individuals who exploit them for political gain, stressing that involvement in violent activities exposes them to criminal charges that can permanently damage their future prospects.
She encouraged them to take advantage of government programs, calling on them to embrace skills development, entrepreneurship, and educational opportunities provided by both the county and national government.
The DCC highlighted that the government continues to expand youth focused initiatives such as vocational training support, business grants, and digital skills programmes designed to uplift young people economically and enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
She reminded the youth that the path to progress lies in discipline, hard work, and utilizing opportunities, not in participating in destructive demonstrations that derail development.
Mwengi emphasized that security agencies remain vigilant and committed to ensuring that similar incidents do not recur, but added that long-term peace can only be realized when communities take ownership of public assets and work together to protect them.
The reopening of the NG-CDF office marks a significant milestone for Kirinyaga Central, where several education bursary programs, infrastructure projects, and youth empowerment initiatives depend on the office for planning, budgeting, and implementation. With operations expected to resume fully by January, residents hope that the momentum in development will be restored and accelerated.
Local stakeholders also expressed optimism that the rehabilitated office will help streamline services and ensure that planned projects, including ICT hubs, school upgrades, and community development programs, will be completed without further interruptions.
by David Wandeto
