Rights activists led by Vocal Africa’s Hussein Khalid [in black reflector jacket] outside Pandya Memorial Hospital on Thursday / JOHN CHESOLI
The youth and rights activists at the Mombasa county assembly entrance on Wednesday / BRIAN OTIENO
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Omar Ahmed receiving treatment at the Pandya Memorial Hospital on Wednesday / BRIAN OTIENOAt least five people, including a journalist, were injured
and some hospitalised after goons attacked youths who had presented a petition
at the Mombasa County Assembly on Wednesday.
The youths, including members of civil society organisations in Mombasa, had gone to the assembly to petition for the formulation and implementation of a county youth policy as part of activities marking International Youth Day.
Trouble started after the petition was presented when some of the youths reportedly turned rowdy and attempted to force their way into the assembly.
County assembly security personnel blocked their entry, triggering pushing and shoving.
Amid the confrontation, a group of men armed with hoe sticks appeared and began beating people indiscriminately.
Veteran Mombasa-based NTV cameraman Karim Rajan was among those injured. He was hit on the left arm and chest, recorded a statement at Central police station and later sought treatment at Pandya Memorial Hospital.
Human rights activists said six people were injured, with two still hospitalised at Pandya Memorial Hospital and Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Others, including She Rises executive director Salma Hemed, were treated and discharged.
Vocal Africa boss Hussein Khalid called for the arrest of those involved, warning that the culture of political goonism must be stopped as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
“We demand the arrest of these goons because we have their photos and other material evidence against them,” Khalid said on Thursday outside Pandya Memorial Hospital after visiting one of the injured youths, Omar Ahmed.
Muhuri rapid response officer Francis Auma also urged young people not to allow themselves to be used to cause violence.
“Some of these supposed goons are only doing this to please their masters. But when it comes to arrests, people will be arrested individually,” Auma said.
He warned that the problem could become difficult to control if violence is allowed to continue with impunity.
Both Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno and Mombasa County Assembly Clerk Salim Juma condemned the violence.
Juma said the youths who arrived at the assembly, were accompanied by masked individuals who blocked access to the building, disrupting traffic and normal House business.
He said the assembly respected the constitutional right to peacefully express views and petition public institutions, but insisted that such rights must be exercised within the law and with regard for public safety.
“The county assembly respects and upholds the constitutional right of every Kenyan to peacefully express their views and petition public institutions,” Juma said.
He said the assembly was concerned that the group had resorted to confrontation and violence after objecting to arrangements allowing a limited number of people into the premises.
Juma said the assembly would continue enforcing security protocols and would not allow violence or disorderly conduct within its precincts.
Nuno said the assembly was a protected area where order had to be maintained. He accused the youths of failing to notify security agencies of their intention to picket and present the petition.
“Two wrongs do not make a right. The failure to notify authorities does not justify violence. The attack on innocent and unarmed civilians by hired goons is unacceptable and a threat to our democracy,” Nuno said.
He said a multi-agency team comprising officers from the Kenya Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Administration Police Service had been formed to investigate the violence and pursue the perpetrators, financiers and mobilisers.
Human rights activists alleged that some MCAs were involved in mobilising the goons.
Nuno said civil society groups, youth and journalists would be allowed to present the petition afresh under police protection, at a date and time of their choosing.
He urged the county assembly leadership to uphold the constitution and guarantee the right to peaceful petition.
Nuno also told civil society groups to notify security agencies of planned pickets, demonstrations and petitions in future.
Khalid, however, disputed this position, saying the constitution does not require police notification before citizens can present petitions.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The youth had marched to the county assembly to petition the MCAs to formulate and implement a youth policy in the county. They said Mombasa has no policy governing youth issues, leaving young people to fend for themselves and missing out on crucial matters such as appointments to county agencies and bodies.
