Rice Rage: Green Army staff’s finger chopped in Kisii market clash
FILE IMAGE OF A POLICE LINE
A member of the Green Army is reportedly recovering from serious finger injuries following a violent confrontation with traders at Getembe in Kisii town, after county cleaners allegedly destroyed goods belonging to women selling rice at Nubia Market.
The Friday confrontation reportedly began when Green Army personnel entered the market as part of their routine street-cleaning operations.
Witnesses told Kahawatungu on Sunday that tensions escalated after one of the male sweepers allegedly interfered with a female trader’s rice, prompting angry traders to confront the county workers.
The confrontation quickly turned violent, with one Green Army member sustaining serious injuries to his fingers.
“Yes, one member of our team sustained serious injuries after a machete-wielding resident turned against us,” a Green Army member told Kahawatungu on condition of anonymity.
He said the injured worker was out of danger and recovering.
“He is recovering well,” he said.
It was not immediately clear whether police had arrested anyone in connection with the incident.
The confrontation came a day after Kisii Governor Simba Arati visited the restive Nubia area and ordered a ban on night street sweeping.
The Green Army programme was introduced by the Kisii County Government as part of efforts to improve cleanliness and maintain order in the town.
The programme has, however, increasingly attracted controversy, with some traders and residents accusing members of using excessive force during enforcement operations.
The latest incident comes amid heightened public debate over alleged goonism in Kisii, with political leaders and residents calling for an end to intimidation and violence in the town.
On Sunday, PDP party chairperson Omingo Magara accused the Green Army of moving beyond its original mandate of cleaning streets and enforcing cleanliness regulations. County officials have previously disputed such allegations.
For traders, the cleaning exercises have increasingly become a source of anxiety, particularly when goods are allegedly destroyed during enforcement operations.