- The protests were largely peaceful for the better part of the day but took a turn for the worst in the afternoon.
- Governor Nassir spoke a short while after police saved a petty thief from a protesting mob after he was caught stealing.
Image: SCREENGRAB
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has urged Mombasa protesters to demonstrate peacefully and guard against the destruction of property by criminal elements.
He discouraged the youthful protesters from engaging in pickpocketing of the public and encouraged them to instead play the people’s watchman and keep such characters at bay.
“What will hurt me, Mombasa is ours and we are not supposed to burn it down. Let protests be peaceful,” he said.
Mombasa was among the first urban areas where protests started quite early on Tuesday.
The protests were largely peaceful for the better part of the day but took a turn for the worse in the afternoon.
Governor Nassir spoke briefly after police saved a petty thief from a protesting mob after he was caught stealing.
Some protesters had also set vehicles on fire prompting the city fire brigade to intervene but it was way too late.
“Let people demonstrate peace and the police should provide security for the protesters. Their work is to ensure thieves do not steal from demonstrators,” Nassir said.
Tuesday’s demonstrations were called to continue piling pressure on the government to instate a number of reforms even after President William Ruto last week declined to assent to the contentious Finance Bill, 2024.
The youths have, however, said it’s too little too late and are demanding far-reaching reforms including the sacking of corrupt government officials and accountability for public resources.
While speaking on the floor of the House on Wednesday last week, nominated Senator Crystal Asige said the young people on whose behalf she was speaking no longer want talks that will result in reports that will never be implemented.
“If you have heard us, then no more talking—just act,” she said.
In a statement on X later on Friday, the senator said, “We want to wake up in the morning with budget allocations reworked, with the Appropriations Bill overhauled, your MPs sacked, your Cabinet Secretaries sacked, the wheels of Constitutional amendments to begin turning, and your resignation on Gen-Z's desk for them to decide whether to accept.”
President Ruto has invited the youth to dialogue over the issues they have raised but the lot has refused.
They have refused to be part of the National Multi-Sectoral Forum and have instead demanded that the President engage them on X.
“I have heard that they do not want a multisectoral forum, and maybe we should engage on X, and I'm open to talking with them on a forum they are comfortable with," Ruto said.
“Tell me who among you is going to set up the X Space and either Thursday or Friday, I will be there.”