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Pro-State goons terrorise city residents as protesters defy Ruto's warning
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Group of people opposing protests ride around Nairobi CBD on motorbikes
Heavy police deployment, road blocks, controlled movement, and pro-government groups gave the protesters a hard time in Nairobi, with the groups supporting the President staging motorcycle rides and marches in the city centre.
The amorphous group, mainly composed of hired goons and boda boda riders, criss-crossed the central business district honking, whistling and chanting in support of the President.
Read: Enough is enough, President Ruto vows to 'crush' anti-government protests
The pro-Ruto group, which was granted a free pass at all police roadblocks, carried placards in support of the government reading “‘Ruto must work”, “It’s time to work”, “Let us give our President time”, “Ruto tuko nyuma yako (We’re behind you, Ruto)” and “Tumechoka na Gen Z” (We’re tired of Gen Z).
The riders, who were accompanied by several members of the Nairobi City County Assembly allied to Dr Ruto’s United Democratic Movement (UDA) party, appeared well organised and funded.
They first fuelled at designated petrol stations in the city before assembling at Uhuru Park and Green Park terminus, two of the heavily guarded public venues in the capital, for instructions on the assignment they were about to embark on.
Protestors torch a motor bike on Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi on July 23, 2024 during the anti-government protests. Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
“Large group of bodabodas fuelling at Rubis next to the entrance of Haile Selassie expressway. They have been told to line up, someone is footing their bill. Riot police stood by and ignored them,” tweeted journalist Robert Nagila.
The involvement of the MCAs in the demonstrations comes a day after a section of Kenya Kwanza ward reps warned that those who are against President Ruto’s administration should wait until the 2027 General Election to express their anger.
The heavily armed police officers cleared the way when the pro-Ruto demonstrators started their street rides around the city centre, with police sources telling the Nation that they were under instructions to “facilitate vijana wetu (our boys).”
Read: Demand soars for Kenyan flag amid youth-led protests
Videos shot by witnesses and onlookers showed individuals in swanky cars, including a black Range Rover allegedly owned by a former UDA MCA, dishing out cash to bodaboda riders who were supporting the government side.
Protestors torch a motor bike on Kenyatta Avenue
Some of the bodaboda pillion passengers were armed whips and knives, which they used to threaten the public as they robbed them.
“They cornered a woman here along Koinange Street and even stole her handbag as they threatened to stab her,” said Albert Kimani, a businessman based in the city.
At one point, the pro-Ruto group clashed with other bodaboda riders near Hilton Hotel after the latter accused the former of looting.
Anti-government protesters march along Moi Avenue in Nairobi on July 23, 2024. Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
At least three motorcycles were burned on Kenyatta Avenue and Mama Ngina Street as two groups fought over the right to demonstrate. Police fired tear gas canisters to contain the clash.
There was chaos at Wakulima market when the hired goons invaded and robbed traders of mobile phones and money. The traders teamed up and repulsed the robbers who were given security by people in unmarked vehicles believed to be police officers.
After terrorising the city for hours, the goons were spotted around an anti-riot police truck on Kenyatta Avenue, chanting “No more demonstrations”. Not a single tear gas canister was lobbed at them.
Anti-government protesters display placards along Moi Avenue in Nairobi on July 23, 2024. Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Barely an hour after the goons were forced to run for their lives, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei denied knowledge of their presence and their sponsors.