A peaceful protest in Nairobi CBD demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat was violently disrupted after gangs riding on motorbikes stormed the march. The protestors, who were making their way towards the Central Police Station via University Way, were suddenly accosted by a group of boda boda-riding assailants.
The attackers, arriving in coordinated fashion and with visible aggression, quickly cornered the protestors and brought the demonstration to a standstill. Chaos erupted as the protestors scattered in different directions to avoid being assaulted. The gang members took over the streets, chasing and flogging those who tried to hold their ground.
Witnesses reported that police officers and patrol vehicles were present during the attack but did not intervene. Instead, the law enforcement officers appeared to watch as the gangs overpowered the unarmed demonstrators. This inaction has raised serious concerns about whether the gangs were acting with the approval or knowledge of the police.
Earlier in the day, police had already fired teargas at protestors gathered outside the Nation Centre, sparking the initial wave of tension in the city center. By mid-morning, several businesses had closed shop as the situation escalated and fears of further violence spread.
The use of gangs to disrupt protests, particularly those aimed at senior public officials, has drawn public criticism and increased calls for accountability within Kenya’s security agencies. As Nairobi residents try to move on from the disruption, the question of who is enabling this violence remains unresolved.
By Risper Akinyi
