Goons hijack protest in Nakuru as demos fizzle out in South Rift

Police officers on horseback engage protesters along Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru City on July 2, 2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Running battles were witnessed in Nakuru City as police dispersed young people who had turned out to participate in the ‘occupy everywhere’ protest.

Scenes of running battles between the police and the protesting youth were witnessed along Kenyatta Avenue and the KFA roundabout along the Geoffrey Kamau highway.

Police lobbed teargas canisters at the protesting youth after the demonstrations were allegedly infiltrated by goons who attempted to loot businesses.

Businesses were hurriedly closed down as the police fired tear gas canisters at people they claimed were goons disguised as protestors.

In Nyahururu town, business was paralysed late in the afternoon after police engaged anti-government protestors in a running battle.

What started as a peaceful demonstration in the morning, turned violent after some youths started looting business premises.

Police led by Nyahururu police boss Beatrice Gacheri had to lob teargas canisters to disperse the protestors.

Several youths were said to have been arrested during the melee.
" We could allow properties to be looted and that is why we took action. It was a peaceful demonstration and they followed the law until the afternoon when they started looting properties. The police acted and the situation is now calm," she said.

However, young people in Bomet, Kericho, Narok, and Samburu counties gave yesterday’s protest a wide berth.

In Baringo County, human rights activist Isaiah Biwott said the young people in the area were satisfied with President William Ruto’s move not to sign the Finance Bill 2024.

Biwott stated that the demonstrations were no longer anti-Finance Bill but had taken a different dimension attracting goons, making it difficult to accommodate the main agenda.

“It is no longer a finance bill, the bill has been withdrawn, it has turned to be tribal with the business community in Kabarnet now armed to protect their businesses, goons have taken advantage of the protest,” he said.

In Kericho County, business activities continued as usual as young people did not show up for the ‘Occupy Everywhere’ protest.

However, there was a heavy presence of anti-riot police on the streets, maintaining a vigilant presence throughout the town to ensure the safety and security of all residents.

Interviews with numerous residents revealed a widespread call for peace.
The community hopes the government will address the issues raised by the Gen Z population, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order and unity during this time.

In Narok town, a handful of young people converged in the central business district but left shortly after blowing whistles and shouting ‘Ruto Must Go.’

The group lasted on the streets for hardly ten minutes before they dispersed.

Maralal town in Samburu County was quiet as people continued their normal activities as the protest fizzled out.

[Julius Chepkwony, Hilda Otieno, Yvonne Chepkwony, Nikko Tanui, James Munyeki and George Sayagie]