Activist Hanifa Adan was left distraught after she was allegedly attacked during a wave of protests in the Nairobi CBD on Tuesday, June 17. This is as it becomes apparent that there are goons attacking protesters while riding motorcycles through the capital.
The activist, known for her vocal stance against police and the Kenya Kwanza government, was caught in the melee that ensued in the CBD as police engaged protesters in running battles.
Hanifa alleged during a live coverage of the protests that goons had intercepted what was supposed to be a peaceful march to Nairobi Central Police Station to harass and steal from people.
According to the vocal activist, she was caught in the crossfire, with one police officer allegedly assaulting her and snatching her phone.
"One of the goons beat me up and took my phone, and I caught his jacket trying to get my phone back as he continued bodying me. Other people joined and caught up with him. I took my phone, and he got beaten up," Hanifa said.
While she recovered her phone, Hanifa pointed an accusing finger at the authorities, claiming they were enabling the goons to wreak havoc during the protests.
"The police are watching as goons terrorise innocent people," she asserted.
By noon on Tuesday, businesses in the Nairobi CBD came to a standstill as protesters stormed Moi Avenue in their dozens, demanding Justice for the late blogger Albert Ojwang.
While the protests were initially set to demand justice for the slain blogger, things in the CBD quickly morphed into a battle between civilians and alleged goons sent specifically to disrupt the peace.
Hanifa, through her social media, revealed that one of the tens of goons who infiltrated the CBD was nabbed by the protestors and subsequently beaten to the point of requiring urgent medical attention.
One motorcycle, allegedly belonging to the goons, was also torched in the process along Moi Avenue by incensed protestors.
The clashes between the two warring factions made their way to Koinange Street, where another motorcycle was burnt as protests threatened to escalate to more violence.
In Mombasa County, protests were also witnessed as residents bore the same message as protesters in Nairobi. While the protests were largely peaceful, four individuals, including a female protester, were arrested and taken to the Central Police Station in Mombasa.
