Journalists attacked as rival gangs clash in Kawangware

A man runs in front of a property that was set on fire by rioters in Kawangware slums in Nairobi. PHOTO - REUTERS

One person was Friday evening shot dead in Kawangware slums, Nairobi as police moved in to quell fighting between two groups. Property of unknown value was destroyed as the gangs looted and set fire to buildings.

KTN News journalists were also attacked by goons and their vehicle vandalised.

Day of terror in Kawangware

The sting of tear gas hits as soon as one approaches Kawangware slums. Sounds of gun shots reverberate across the area, making a piece of iron sheet in one of the buildings fly off on impact.  A woman screams. Followed by a stampede of feet, and the wail of a child. Then there is silence, and another scream.

“They are killing us! Somebody stops them!” yells a woman in one of the houses. The police respond by lobbying tear gas, and warning them to stay indoors.

Anti-riot police attempt to disperse rioters in Kawangware slums in Nairobi. PHOTO - REUTERS

Packed in the middle of the road are police cannons, lorries and vehicles with police from the general service unit (GSU) milling around, hands on their guns. Some of them are on the ground, hiding behind buildings, walking stealthily inside the slum.

“We cannot allow hooligans to engage in illegal activities and pretend they are demonstrating,” says one of the police officer, explaining that they have received complaints from residents of a few youths taking advantage of the current political situation to cause chaos.

Residents run as a property is looted in Kawangware slum in Nairobi. PHOTO - REUTERS

A few kilometres from the canons, a group of youths stand with stones in their hands; occasionally breaking into chants and daring police to attack. Police throw tear gas at them, they scatter but return almost immediately.

“We saw a huge lorry approaching Ongwaro (Kawangware) this afternoon. Nobody knows why they are here. They want to disturb us, but we will not allow them,” one of the youth says, insisting they will not retreat and are ready to die.

Residents run away as property is consumed by fire in Kawangware. PHOTO - STANDARD 

By 4.00 pm, they are still caught in chase, with police increasing their force with every stone thrown towards their direction.

Children dressed in uniform get caught in the commotion. Two school children raise their hands in surrender as they approach the heavy police presence. A woman holds a school girl who has hands on her face.

The police order the school children to run, and they obey. Anyone who is not in school uniform is ordered to unblock the roads the demonstrators had blocked.

“I was at work, I did not block these roads,” one of them protests, and one officer interrupts by telling him to cooperate, lest he gets in trouble.

A woman reacts near a police vehicle in Kawangware slums in Nairobi. PHOTO - REUTERS

He instructs media to stop taking photos, claiming the media is leaning towards demonstrators, and does not report when police officers are injured or insulted by masquerades whose aim is to upset stability in the country.

“Nobody would leave the station to come and attack innocent people. There is law, and it should be respected,” he says.

KTN News journalists were attacked by goons and their vehicle vandalised. PHOTO - STANDARD

His statements are an open contradiction to the many voices that have been blaming police for using unnecessary force. Opposition leaders, mostly from the opposition have been blaming the government for profiling communities, some saying the narrative of police brutality is often peddled by opposition to get sympathy votes, and turn people against government.

“The whole of today, we have been running around with policemen. Nobody knows how tomorrow will be. What kind of life is this,” says a motor cycle mechanic who had to close his shop for fear of vandalism.

As darkness approaches Kawangware, things take a different turn. A group of youth approach carrying machetes light fires in middle of the street, protesting against what they claim to be looting. Police try to control them, but get overwhelmed. What follows is a night of gunfire, police chase, tears, fear and uncertainty.

[email protected]

Additional reporting by Sara Okuoro