Nairobi — Suspected goons violently disrupted composed demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, turning a explain seeking justice for blogger Albert Ojwang – who died in police custody remaining week – into chaos.
The demonstration, which started peacefully at round 10:00 a.m., drew dozens of supporters who had been demanding accountability over Ojwang’s mysterious dying on the hands of the police.
According to witnesses and activists on the scene, masked goons riding on boda bodas stormed the demonstration, brandishing coarse weapons and attacking composed protesters.
Several folk had been robbed of their cellphones, money, and somewhat a lot of deepest belongings, whereas regulations enforcement officers allegedly stood by with out intervening.
Online activist Hanifa Adan recounted how one of the most attackers tried to rob her of her cell phone during the chaos.
“One of the goons beat me up, took my phone, and I grabbed his jacket in an attempt to get it back as he continued assaulting me. Other people came to help, I recovered my phone, and he was beaten up in return!” Hanifa posted on X, describing her harrowing hit upon.
Activists imagine the violence was a coordinated strive to undermine the protests, with some accusing the verbalize of employing employed thugs to suppress civic circulate.
“Goons have infiltrated town and are stealing from people. They’re on bodas, masked, and carry weapons. The police — the real criminals — are enabling them,” added Hanifa.
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Photographs from the scene in the CBD reveals some protesters setting fire to motorcycles believed to belong to the assailants, further fueling the chaos.
By noon, Nairobi’s CBD had descended into confusion and chaos as protesters engaged in running battles with the attackers, attempting to nook them after they disrupted the composed demonstration and stole their belongings.
“Tell your brothers, cousins, and neighbors they are either with the people or against the people — and everyone will live with the consequences of their choices. If you plan to harm us, we will defend ourselves,” acknowledged one more protester.
Earlier in the day, police clashed with protesters in Nairobi’s Central Business District, lobbing plod gas canisters to disperse the crew, which was chanting slogans and waving placards bearing Ojwang’s picture alongside those of assorted young victims of police brutality.
Power remained high in the Nairobi CBD, with several businesses that had opened in the morning hurriedly closing down as fears of further chaos escalated.
Ojwang’s dying in police custody has reignited nationwide outrage over police brutality, with key political figures, human rights activists, and lawyers calling for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
On Monday, Lagat issued an announcement stating he had stepped apart to permit investigations. But rights teams and acceptable experts teach that’s no longer adequate.
“Stepping aside is not justice. It’s not accountability. Eliud Lagat must be arrested and charged with murder,” acknowledged Hussein Khalid, CEO of human rights neighborhood VOCAL Africa.
