Goons who infiltrated protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District on June 17, 2025, confessed to being hired by influential individuals to disrupt the demonstrations.
Photo courtesy; Nairobi county governor honorable Johnson Sakaja who have been accused of hiring goons to disrupt protests, Used for illustration purposes only.
Speaking to Citizen TV, several goons admitted they were promised Ksh2,000 but were paid as little as Ksh50 or nothing at all.
The hired individuals, most of whom came from informal settlements such as Kibera and Korogocho, were tasked with causing chaos during protests held in honour of Albert Ojwang.
Armed with sticks, the goons looted shops and attacked peaceful demonstrators. They revealed they were mobilised at designated points, including Dennis Pritt Road and Greenpark, and transported into the CBD on boda bodas.
The group, numbering about 83 people, was reportedly directed by individuals suspected to have political links.
Footage circulated online showed police officers standing by as the violence unfolded, suggesting possible complicity.
Claims also emerged that the police provided the goons with tear gas canisters to assist in breaking up the protests.
Some of the goons suffered injuries from retaliatory attacks by city residents and vigilante groups who were angered by the disruption of business activities.
Victims displayed broken limbs and head injuries sustained during the chaos.
One of the alleged masterminds, known as Swaleh, is reported to have gone into hiding. A video emerged showing him on his knees apologising for his involvement.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja denied allegations of meeting Swaleh or funding the operation.
Accused of holding a secret meeting with Swaleh, Gaucho, an MP, and an MCA before the protests, Sakaja produced travel evidence showing he was in Lugari on the day of the incident.
He also presented receipts to counter the claims. Sakaja insisted he had no role in the violence and distanced himself from any form of protest interference.
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