Human rights activists accuse police of intimidation over protests

Mombasa human rights activists have accused police of intimidation to paralyse protests.

But sources claimed that lack of support by the Coast region political leadership has suppressed demonstrations.

National chairman Kadu Ali and Joshua Kombora said key political figures have opted to back the broad-based government and left the people to fight it out alone.

“Key politicians in this region have betrayed the people’s course. They have opted for the broad-based government and left the people to fight it out alone. This is why the demonstrations are not very effective in this region,” he argued.

Executive director of the Commission for Human Rights and Justice Julius Ogogoh claimed that threats and intimidation silenced the Mombasa demonstration mobilisers.

Ogogoh alleged that Bradley Ouna, who recently notified the police of planned demonstration, has been summoned and intimidated in a move aimed at scaring away protesters.

“The reason why demonstrations are not taking place in Mombasa is because those who notify the police of the events and the mobilisers become targets for harassment,” he claimed.

He noted that the infiltration of protests by hooligans has also discouraged many residents from going on the streets.

“Many of us stand for peace and want businesses to thrive. The use of hooligans in the demonstrations has discouraged some protesters from participation,” he said.

Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) director Khalef Khalifa said they are moving to court to challenge the police for stopping lawful demonstrations.

“We are preparing to sue the police for stopping demonstrations in Mombasa. It is a constitutional right of all Kenyans to carry out demonstrations, and police should not intimidate us,” he said.

Muhuri rapid response officer Francis Auma claimed that mobilisers of the demonstration are being targeted for harassment and are being followed up to their homes.

He said for the 5th time, the Central Police Station OCS has refused to allow demonstrations in the town and put mobilisers under surveillance.

“Some of the human rights officials have been summoned and questioned on who could be funding the youth to hold demonstrations. We view this as intimidation, and we are going to court to challenge the police,” he said.

Khalifa revealed that Muhuri has already instructed its legal team to sue the OCS at the Central police station and ensure that demonstrations are allowed in the central business district.

Human Rights Agenda (Huria) executive director Yusuf Mwatsefu has written a letter to President William Ruto complaining of brutal handling of demonstrators and human rights defenders.

“We call on the president to condemn these acts of violence and constitutional violations,” he said, urging the president to instruct the Inspector General of Police to investigate the attack on mothers and human rights activists in Nairobi on July 6, 2025.