Rarieda Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Otiende Amollo has faulted the government for deploying plain clothes police officers using vehicles without registration numbers, during protests.
Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker questioned the government’s motive in making such decisions.
Otiende Amollo on goons
The renowned lawyer also questioned the essence of deploying goons on the streets during the anti-government protests.
In his statement, Amollo wanted to know the message the government is sending by allowing ununiformed police officers in vehicles that lack registration numbers, on the streets.
“Wondering quietly, what message does a state send, when it deploys sponsored goons on the streets, and deploys plateless cars with ununiformed officers..? just what message?” the lawmaker stated.
Wondering Quietly, What Message Does A State Send, When It Deploys Sponsored Goons On The Streets, And Deploys Plateless Cars With Ununiformed Officers..? just What Message?
— Otiende Amollo, SC,MP, EBS (@OAmollo) July 24, 2024
The lawmaker’s statement comes a day after unknown people riding on motorbikes in hundreds stormed Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) chanting pro-government slogans.
Goons in Nairobi CBD
The riders who were seemingly hired, clashed with boda boda operators who argued that the people chanting pro-government slogans were strangers to them.
The clash led to the burning of about two motorcycles belonging to the hired group.
Elsewhere, Subaru and Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles without registration numbers with masked occupants who were armed to the teeth kept on streaming different residential areas where anti-government protests were happening.
Kitengela in Kajiado County, Pipeline estate in Embakasi South Sub-County, Mlolongo in Machakos County, Zimmerman and Kahawa West are some of the areas that witnessed these vehicles with ununiformed officers stream in.
The occupants of the said vehicles would take positions upon alighting, instilling fear among the residents.
Havi echoes Otiende’s concern
Lawyer Nelson Havi has also joined Otiende Amollo, questioning why the goons that were witnessed in the streets during the Tuesday, July 23, 2024, protests, have not been arrested.
The National Police Service and the Ministry of Interior did not apprehend these criminals. At the same time, the Director of Public Prosecutions will tell us that he cannot find evidence to link them to crime. Yet these are people sustained in public offices with our taxes. pic.twitter.com/JqNKScgGK8
— Nelson Havi (@NelsonHavi) July 24, 2024