In a dramatic turn of events during anti-government protests on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, police intervened to rescue a suspected thief from being lynched by an angry mob in Mombasa.
The incident unfolded as demonstrators, expressing their discontent with the government, caught a man attempting to steal amid the chaos.
The suspect, dressed in a black shirt, was beaten by the protesters before managing a brief escape, only to be quickly recaptured and subjected to further beatings.
The situation escalated until police officers arrived, dispersing the crowd and placing the man in a police land cruiser, driving him away to safety.
Nairobi
Similar incidents of theft and mugging amid Tuesday’s protests were reported elsewhere in the country.
In Nairobi, a suspected thief was nabbed along Moi Avenue by a mob accusing him of being part of a group that exploited the protests to break into shops in the Central Business District (CBD).
Videos showing the suspect being roughed up by an irate mob have been widely shared on social media.
Separately, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo condemned an incident in Upper Hill where individuals were mugged.
The incident, caught on camera, occurred in the Community Area next to the Integrity Center, the headquarters of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Footage shows at least two thugs accosting a man before mugging him and fleeing.
Odhiambo decried the attack and called for the perpetrators’ arrest, stating, “These are not protesters but goons. These are the ones who should be arrested!”
Ruto
During a roundtable interview with local media on Sunday night, June 30, 2024, President William Ruto addressed the issue, noting that criminal elements had infiltrated the anti-government protests.
“There are criminals who infiltrated and caused mayhem. Some of these criminals actually harmed peaceful protesters, stole phones, and attacked people. They even overpowered the police, took a gun from an officer, and started shooting,” Ruto explained.
The President also labelled those who invaded and set fire to part of Parliament as criminals, not protesters.
“There is a situation in Parliament. How did the invaders go straight for the armoury at the mausoleum? Those are the investigations we will get to, and a proper explanation will be given to the country,” Ruto stated.
The intervention by police in Mombasa and other areas underscores the complexities and risks associated with the protests, which have been marked by both legitimate dissent and criminal exploitation.
As Kenya navigates this period of unrest, the balance between maintaining order and respecting the right to protest remains a critical challenge.
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