There was chaos earlier today after a group of armed individuals stormed the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), disrupting a planned press conference by a group of Kenyan mothers.
The women were set to speak out against ongoing human rights violations just a day before the anticipated Saba Saba protests.
According to a statement released on X (formerly Twitter) by the Women’s Collective Kenya, the attackers barged into the KHRC offices and attempted to scatter the group of mothers who had gathered to address the media at around 1:30 PM.
“Armed goons have attacked offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), where a press conference was due to be held this afternoon by Kenyan mothers on the eve of Saba Saba,” the statement read.
Speaking exclusively to Newshub.co.ke, a source from the civil society group Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi confirmed that the intruders made away with at least two laptops belonging to journalists.
The situation turned tense, forcing several participants to flee and take cover in nearby restaurants and shops. As of now, the status of the press briefing remains uncertain, as organizers remain in hiding for safety.
Reports suggest the attackers accused the women and their supporters of being part of the movement organizing the July 7 Saba Saba protests, a day historically marked by calls for democratic reforms in Kenya.
The mothers had organized the briefing to raise their voices against the rising cases of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, especially targeting youth who participate in peaceful protests.
Many of these young people have either been killed or gone missing under mysterious circumstances after speaking out or taking part in demonstrations.
Over the past several weeks, peaceful protests in the country have taken a deadly turn, with security forces accused of using excessive force. The most devastating incident occurred on June 25, 2024, during anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, where at least 60 people reportedly lost their lives, and many others were forcibly disappeared.
These brutal events have only strengthened the resolve of Kenya’s youth, especially the so-called Gen Z generation, who have since shown unwavering commitment to participating in street protests. These protests are often coordinated on social media and have grown in scale with every passing week.
One tragic example that sparked widespread outrage was the death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger who allegedly died in police custody.
During a protest on June 17 calling for justice in his case, a Kenyan man selling face masks to demonstrators was shot in the head by police.
The horrific incident was captured on video and shared widely. The man later died two weeks after the shooting.
Eyewitnesses and activists have repeatedly reported that many of the protests have been infiltrated by thugs who appear to be working hand-in-hand with police officers to disperse and intimidate peaceful demonstrators.
The June 25 protest, organized to mark the anniversary of last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, ended in more tragedy, with at least 19 people killed and over 400 others injured.
These deadly outcomes have shaken the country and served as the driving force behind today’s attempt by the mothers to speak out.
Their mission was simple yet urgent—to appeal to the government and authorities to stop the ongoing cycle of violence, killings, and intimidation of Kenyans standing up for their rights.
With tensions rising ahead of the July 7 Saba Saba Day, the disruption of the mothers’ press briefing has only added to the sense of fear and anxiety, but also strengthened the resolve of many Kenyans determined to fight for justice and democracy.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
