How Woman Prevented Protesters from Destroying Jomo Kenyatta's Grave

• As if the invasion of the National Assembly was not enough, the anti-finance bill protesters almost vandalised the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's crypt there
• The first president of independent Kenya was laid to rest in the parliament buildings after dying in office in 1978
• A woman who was part of the group that gained entry to the legislature managed to convince her company against causing damage to the tomb

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Eli Odaga, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi: The late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's crypt in the precincts of parliament would be flattened were it not for a random woman's intervention.

Kenya's founding father the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was laid to rest in the parliament buildings. Photo: Times of India. Source: Twitter

The anti-finance bill protesters climaxed their mass action by breaching the parliament buildings on Tuesday, June 25.

Parliament buildings are categorised among the government's critical institutions and thus are accorded maximum state security.

It is, therefore, still a puzzle how the protesters effortlessly made their way.

Protesters go for Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's tomb

The invaders went about causing damage to anything in their vicinity.

Flags were brought down, windows shattered, tables and chairs in the cafeteria broken and the food prepared for the lawmakers feasted on.

Others made away with parliament wares such as the sergeant-at-arms uniform, a dummy mace and cutlery, among others.

But there was a daring group that set out for the late Kenyatta's tomb.

They entered the mausoleum housing the crypt, with one climbing on top ready to set it on fire.

"We were to set it on fire," said one of them.

It took the intervention of one brave woman in the crowd who succeeded in convincing them against the planned arson attack.

She observed that the departed first president of independent Kenya had not committed any crime to warrant the damage of his resting place.

"Let us not destroy that, please. No. We are rejecting that. We can't destroy it guys. We can have a view of it but let us not set it on fire. Close that gate. That is Mzee Kenyatta's mausoleum, we are not going to burn it, what is his mistake?" she is heard.

The men left the mausoleum for other installations within the legislature compound.

Video; courtesy

Protesters help MP in wheelchair

Still in the unprecedented parliament breach by the Kenyan civilians, a nominated lawmaker confined to a wheelchair was helped out of the invaded buildings by a trio of humanitarian protesters.

Crystal Asige, a lawmaker representing persons with disabilities in parliament, shared the charitable act with her colleagues in the Senate.

She said she was present when the protesters managed to enter the parliament buildings.

Asige recounted how MP Jackson Kosgei was left stranded after being separated from his security guard during the chaos.

When the young protesters saw him stranded, they helped him reach the underground tunnel leading to Bunge Towers, where he would be safe.

According to the nominated senator, after the trio ensured Kosgei, who is gospel singer Emmy Kosgei's father, was safe, they ran back to join their fellows in their 'expedition' of the August house.

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