(Photo courtesy: Cars on fire along Biashara Street in Mombasa County on July 2, 2024.)
Chaos erupted in Mombasa as knife-wielding gangs infiltrated anti-government protests, leading to hours of violence, looting, and destruction. Tourists and locals were attacked while police watched from a distance. One civilian shot a protestor while trying to defend his business, and four cars were burned outside a café. The High Court had recently restrained police from using force against protestors, but the demonstrations quickly turned into lawlessness.
In Voi, protestors blocked the Mombasa-Nairobi highway, disrupting transport. Similar chaos ensued in Kakamega, Bungoma, and Kisii, where looting and clashes with police occurred. Heavy police presence in Eldoret and Nyeri prevented major disruptions, but businesses remained cautious, closing early to avoid potential attacks.
The protests, initially against the Finance Bill 2024, have now taken on a tribal dimension, with businesses arming themselves for protection. Human rights activists and residents called for peace, urging the government to address the protestors' grievances. Despite the unrest, some regions like Bomet, Kericho, Narok, and Samburu saw minimal protest activity, maintaining relative calm.
Source.
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/amp/coast/article/2001498254/mayhem-in-the-streets-as-gangs-infiltrate-demos-steal-and-burn.