COAST REGION PROTEST SITUATION BRIEF NO. 5 ON 2ND JULY, 2024.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Protests taking another turn as they become more violent and raise concern over credibility.
- Tension ran high as protests were infiltrated with criminal gangs in Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
- Incidents of looting, robbery and attacks reported in Mombasa and Malindi towns.
- The protesters decry President Ruto for downplaying the excessive use of force, extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests on national television.
- Business owners using guns shoot in Mombasa leading to mass destruction of properties, cars torched.
SITUATION ANALYSIS
The president of the republic of Kenya expressed interest in engaging with the youths in a dialogue to iron out the issues they raised in his administration. During a presser, the President responded to some of the concerns raised by the protesters including; the abolishment of the offices of the First Lady and the spouses to some principal leaders in government; the hiring of the Chief Administrative Secretaries; police brutality, accountability among others.
The protests begun peacefully dubbed Total Shutdown, however turned chaotic in several locations when armed gangs attacked peaceful protesters with one business owner in Mombasa using a gun to scare away protesting citizens. Activities by looters and gangs were experienced in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties in the Coast of Kenya.
KECOSCE’s EWER system shall continue to collect data and provide situational briefs to stakeholders for increased human rights based response to this fluid situation in Kenya with a focus to the Coast region.
REPORTED EVENTS ON DAY 4 THE 2ND JULY, 2024.
| COUNTY | LOCATIONS | EVENTS |
| MOMBASA | Bombolulu
Mvita-Nyerere road. Nyali- Kadzandani, Kisimani Bombolulu Changamwe, Mwembe Tayari Jomvu |
Most businesses in Mombasa Town were closed probably as a precautionary measure to incur losses from looting by criminals who infiltrate the protests.
Hundreds of youths marched on the streets of Mombasa starting from various locations based in the mobilizations that had been ongoing in the online spaces such as X, Facebook and Whatsapp pages. Protests went violent in Bombolulu when criminal gangs suspected to be wakali kwanza infiltrated the protests and initiated attacks on civilians. One person was stabbed and several pedestrians robbed off their valuables. The key targets were the matatus, passangers, tuktuks and motorbike operators. One person hit by teargas canister and treated with deep cuts Properties were vandalized in different location of Mombasa county. Over five (5) vehicles were set ablaze along Nyerere road in Mombasa CBD. At least 10 protesters were injured during the events and were rushed to various medical facilities such as MedTrust and the Coast General hospital. Private car users were advised to avoid following local advice to purported safe roads with intend to rob them. Bonfires lit in Kadzandani ward. |
| KILIFI | Malindi.
Kilifi town Kwa Kazuri Malindi fire station |
Several roads were blocked by protesters at Malindi fire station impeding transport in the area. Several shops are also reported to have been vandalized around Alaskan area.
Some shops were robbed. Thieves who infiltrated protests robbed shops apposite Mass Petrol station making away with gas cylinders, clothes and other commodities. Running battles between the police and the protesters were recorded. |
| Mtwapa | Looting was reported with a supermarket targeted by gangs. Police responded with teargas to disperse the looters.
Police blamed for throwing teargas at a nearby maternity hospital with patients admitted who are no part of demonstrators |
|
| KWALE | Tiwi, Matuga
|
Youths blocked the Lunga Lunga road at Tiwi point where goons went on a robbery spree on pedestrians and motorists.
Tiwi girls was allegedly set on fire by students. Ukunda town, gangs are attacking civilians no police action reported
|
| TAITA TAVETA | VOI | Protests reported in town centre. More major incidences reported |
ACTIONS/RESPONSE.
- Non state actors in Mombasa attack peaceful demonstrators. Some using guns others using machetes. Key questions is why the police allowed armed gangs to rob unarmed civilians and why business owner of Qaffee point in mombasa was allowed to shoot at demonstrators. We hope this will be followed up and response provided.
- About 5 suspected goons and thieves arrested in connection with reported attacks and vandalism. The protesters also marched out suspected thieves and attempted to lynch them before the police rescued them.
- Local community members concerted efforts and managed to put out the fire at Tiwi Girls School in Kwale county.
- No fatalities reported in the Coast so far.
- Normalcy returned in Mombasa by 4:p.m.
- Communications Authority of Kenya has written to all TV and radio broadcasters reminding them to ensure broadcasting including news in whatever form is presented with due accuracy and presented objectively in a balanced manner.