Manyatta Mp Gitonga Mukunji narrates narrow escape from Parliament after protestors gained access

Manyatta constituency Mp Gitonga Mukunji has recalled the events in Bunge leading to the storming of Parliament in Tuesday’s Anti-tax Protests.

The youthful leader was having lunch, relaxing with his counterpart when things went south.

“Ilikuwa moto. Mi unajua nilikuwa pale bunge, nikaweka No. So tukiwa tuna vote, imekuwanga imefungwa, huwezi toka inje so me nikachomoka hapo nikaenda kukula dish,” he began recounting.

This was interrupted by warnings that there was a problem

“Mimi tumekaa na rafiki yangu hapo anaitwa Patrick Munene, from Chuka, he maze, dakika mbili mi naona wale watu wanatu serve wametukuja mbio,” laughing aloud.

He fled the scene;

“Wamekuja mbio wanatuambia eh, watu wameingia. Me ndio huyo, cha nikaacha chakula hapo. Nika enda nikatoa hii tag nikaweka kwa mfuko, nika toa shati nikaweka korti peke yake. Nika chomoka sasa. Ndo mi nika chomoka, nika chomoka, nika fika pale kwa roundabout ya Harambee avenue,” he narrated.

He was among MPs who voted No to reject the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

“Sasa unajua hapo badi sikai mbunge sana, juu nimechomoa shaerti na korti. Nakaa kama nimefunga sharti. So nikapita hivo sasa nikaingia ili niweze kuingia KICC. Lakini ma cops wakaniambia maze hupiti hapa. Hii hatufungui. Sasa kwasababu wamekaa kila mahali. Unajua KICC walikuwa washaa ingia, KICC kulikuwa kunapitiwa na wale walikuwa wanademonstrate, ma Gen Z walikuwa wanapitia hapa.”

Adding; “So walikuwa wamefunga kale ka gate ka me join Harambee House na hiyo pande ingine ya KICC. Ndo mimi huyo tena natoka KICC, nikatoka chini ya maji nikaingia hii upande ingien ya KICC, mpaka huko kwangu ofisi KICC.”

According to reports, 5 were shot dead after police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds.

“Ei moto sana. Niliona movie, lakini kwanza nataka kusema pole kwa wale demonstrators wali poteza maisha walipigania haki yao ni vizuri kusema ya kwamba wakati atu wanasema kitu waskizwe. Na pia serikali ikuwa na maskio ya vile watu wanasema,”.

He didn’t want to disappoint his constituents

“Mimi sababu kubwa ya kupiga No, ni sababu nilitembea na ni kaskiza watu yangu. Nilikuwa wale wtu watu hawange expect nitapiga No. Nilifanya mpaka online engagement, through my Facebook , Zoom, Tiktok, wakaniambia hawataki hii kitu,” he added.