There is a strong presence of police in Mombasa today, July 7, because of planned protests for Saba Saba Day.
Many shops in the main business area were closed Monday morning. Police officers in riot gear gathered at Central Police Station before being sent to different parts of the town, especially in areas where trouble might happen.
Security officers, some in uniform and others in plain clothes, were also seen around the Mapembeni area on Moi Avenue, which is a common gathering spot for people who want to protest.
Mombasa Mall in the Mwembe Tayari area was also protected by heavily armed police.
Police in Mombasa have said that the protest cannot happen because of safety concerns. Sylvester Wambua, the officer in charge at Central Police Station, announced that the protest has been “declined and cancelled”.
He explained, “We have information that some people with bad intentions want to take over the protest and create chaos, violence, and stealing. For the safety and peace of our tourist town, we believe it is not safe to allow the protest.”
On Saturday, police detained two activists, Bradley Ouna and Evans Momanyo, for more than six hours, accusing them of organising today’s protest. The two denied any plans to incite violence.
