Govt hired goons to scuttle calls for reforms – Martha Karua
Narc Party leader Martha Karua has castigated police officers involved in the recent protests, saying they were looking away as hired goons reigned terror on businesses.
In a statement, Karua remarked that the recent demos have not witnessed police heavy-handedness which characterized previous peaceful protests against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
"Media reports indicate that scores are nursing gunshot injuries today further that the heavy police presence did not deter goons from looting, this suggests that the goons are literally given cover to loot and that police are deliberately targeting peaceful protestors as a means of deterring further protests," Karua said.
She added: "It’s time the Kenya Kwanza regime called off their hired goons and let the peaceful protestors be."
The Tuesday, July 2, 2024, protests witnessed widespread vandalism and looting across the country even as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki called for an end to the chaos.
Businesses in Nairobi remained largely closed for the better part of Tuesday as police engaged in running battles with the demonstrators.
Police used teargas and water cannons despite a Malindi court ruling against the use of the two in maintaining public order.
Business and transport ground to a halt for the better part of Tuesday evening, with protesters blocking major roads leading into and out of Nairobi.
A section of individuals believed to be infiltrators were seen breaking into closed shops and looting items.
Some of the individuals taking cover in the massive crowds of protesters were captured harassing individuals and mugging them.
Activist Boniface Mwangi sent a message later calling on all peaceful protesters to head home, claiming the demos had been hijacked by a group of criminals.
“It’s a shame it has come to this. When the state behaves like thugs, we keep off,” Mwangi observed in a statement.
Hired goons
In Mombasa, a section of protesters destroyed buildings and city aesthetics along Moi Avenue and vandalised the Huduma Centre building.
A group of demonstrators were also captured on camera setting five cars on fire with police officers not far away.
A section of the crowd gained access to the Qaffee Point Hotel and began looting before police stepped in to stop them.
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali noted that the protests had been infiltrated by criminals who were causing damage to property and looting.
"What we witnessed today in Mombasa and some parts of our Country including Nairobi, Migori, Kisumu and Kisii is no longer Gen Z-related," Ali noted, adding that the violence had gone beyond politics and was boiling down to the protection of the country.
The MP said politicians, clergy and leaders must come together to forge a path of peace which will lead to the cessation of the protests.
