- Major shops along Digo Road, Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, Ronald Ngala Road, and Moi Avenue were closed in a rush after the robbing spree began.
- Anti-riot police officers had to be called in to arrest the situation which was getting out of hand.
Image: CHARLES MGHENYI
Business within the Mombasa central business district on Thursday afternoon came to a standstill after criminals took advantage of the street protest to rob residents.
Major shops along Digo Road, Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, Ronald Ngala Road, and Moi Avenue were closed in a rush after the robbing spree began.
More than 20 people were robbed of their valuables and sustained injuries during the chaos.
The suspected criminals had joined the hundreds of youthful protestors who took to the streets of Mombasa to continue pushing for total rejection of the Finance Bill 2024.
They took advantage of the demonstrations to start robbing the unsuspecting residents.
At around 2pm, the suspected criminals descended on any person whom they met on their way and ensured they robbed them of everything.
Francis Mulwa, a 21-year-old youth from VoK area in Nyali, was among the victims after the criminals met him at Fontannela round-about.
He was mugged and his phone stolen.
“I tried to fight the one who had attacked me. The other group descended on me with crude weapons. They managed to go with my phone,” Mulwa told the Star.
He sustained injuries on his abdomen, back and legs. Mulwa was heading home when he met with the crowd.
Anti-riot police officers had to be called in to arrest the situation, which was getting out of hand.
However, the daring thugs started pelting the police with stones and engaging them in running battles.
The police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the youth.
Earlier on, the street protest in Mombasa was peaceful.
The youth demonstrated around the town centre before heading to Treasury Square, where they lit candles to remember their friends who died across the country.
The street demonstrations came a day after President William Ruto refused to sign the Finance Bill 2024 and referred it back to the National Assembly with a recommendations.
However, the Mombasa youth said they have no faith in the President's speech of Wednesday evening, saying MPs might not withdraw the Finance Bill.
James Ongare, a youth activist, said the President should address the real issue.
“The real issue is that corruption is eating this country. If you see the maltitude of young people coming out to fight for their rights, please do not kill them," he said.
He said more than 30 youths are believed to have died during the protests.
“The President said only six people died, but the reality is that more than 30 were killed. Mr President, you must sit down and rethink and sack all your advisors.”
Brian Mutuku said they were “fed up with lies from the President.”
Major (Rtd) Idris Abdulrahman, once former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho’s political advisor, said he had joined the street protest to support the younger generation.
“I’m a parent of Gen Zs. I’m here to support them to ensure they achieve their aspirations. There should no be violence and they should be protected,” he said.