Standoff as police arrest several suspected Mungiki members in Nyeri

Several individuals have been arrested in Nyeri Town and its environs in a crackdown on supporters of former Mungiki Leader Maina Njenga.

This comes after Nyeri County Police Commissioner Pius Murugu banned a planned rally that was slated to be held and attended by a section of Mount Kenya leaders, at the Kabiru-Ini Grounds, stating that it was unlawful.

A contingent of security officers, stationed along the Nyeri - Nairobi, Nyeri - Nyahururu and Nyeri - Nanyuki Highways,  erected security checks to prevent supporters of the former Mungiki leader, from attending the planned meeting at the grounds.

More policemen were stationed at the venue of the banned rally, with others patrolling Nyeri town and its environs.

The ban on the meeting and crackdown on Njenga's supporters comes after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua warned of the resurgence of the outlawed Mungiki sect in his Nyeri backyard.