Mombasa protests fizzle out, but youth make their point

The planned anti-government protests in Mombasa yesterday fizzled out even before they could ignite, smothered by an unusually heavy police presence.

 Tension began crippling the city centre in the morning. Many businesses hesitated to open fully, their operators warily standing guard with heavy sticks. By midday, the air grew thick with unease. 

Staccato bursts of teargas on Moi Avenue marked the onset of a tense standoff between police and protesters.
Protesters began gathering by mid-morning at the iconic “elephant tusks” on Moi Avenue.

Addressing the reporters, they declared their readiness to “Occupy everywhere” to demand that President William Ruto form a competent government.

“We are here today because on Sunday in Bomet, the President said he has a nation to protect. We, the youth, also have a nation to protect – from looters and corrupt leaders, starting with the President,” explained Brian, a Gen Z youth from Mombasa.

The protesters criticised the President for reinstating officials he had previously dismissed, arguing that those removed from office should never return.

“What are Kindiki, Duale, and others doing in government? Rebecca Miano had procurement issues while she was the CEO of KenGen. The new Education CS was Machogu’s running mate in Kisii County. We need technocrats, not these recycled faces,” Brian asserted.

’Unnecessary tension’

Civil society groups accused the police of sparking unnecessary tension and using excessive force against unarmed civilians.
“There are too many police officers around, creating fear. Businesses are closed because of this,” said Francis Auma, a rapid response officer for Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri).

Lydia Odhiambo, another young protester, argued that reinstating fired officials indicated the President lacks new ideas.
Confronting the police, Odhiambo said they had failed to arrest thugs infiltrating the protests but were harassing peaceful demonstrators.

“They know who to arrest but never do. We’ve been peaceful from day one. Their job is to protect us, not intimidate us. We demand accountability. We don’t want these recycled leaders,” she said.

After addressing the media, the protesters began their march along Moi Avenue. Their small number meant they were encircled by security officers, including undercover agents.

Strange men in civilian clothes photographed individuals and recorded vehicle registration numbers, raising suspicions among journalists.

Soon, police began using teargas, with masked officers in unmarked vehicles leading the charge.

Tension gripped the city centre, causing partially opened businesses on Digo Road to shut down and traffic to dwindle. Within seconds, the city turned eerily quiet, remaining so for the rest of the day.

Protests by young people began on June 18 as a response to proposed tax hikes before they escalated and hit a high with the storming of Parliament Buildings.

Though President William Ruto withdrew the 2024 Finance Bill in June, the protests continue.

Ruto also sacked nearly his entire Cabinet, sparing only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Last Friday, he nominated 11 new Cabinet secretaries, retaining six who served in the previous group.

Yesterday, Ruto announced more changes, moving holdovers Aden Duale to the Environment ministry and Soipan Tuya to Defence.