By KPC Reporter
An emotionally charged press briefing by the “Mothers of Kenya” took a dramatic turn Sunday afternoon when goons disrupted them.
The event, held on the eve of the anticipated Saba Saba protests, was intended to spotlight the anguish and outrage of grieving mothers over escalating police brutality.
As the presser got underway, tension crept in as unidentified individuals attempted to breach the venue, triggering confusion and panic among attendees.
“There was a sudden commotion near the entrance, and for a moment we feared the worst,” said one organizer, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“We came here to demand justice and peace, not to witness more intimidation.”
Some of the goons had masked their faces and carried huge sticks as they intimidatingly invaded the presser.
Security personnel swiftly intervened to restore calm, allowing the event to continue.
Despite the disruption, the Mothers of Kenya laced their words with grief, defiance, and a call for national conscience.
In their statement, the group paid tribute to victims of police violence, particularly young people killed during peaceful demonstrations.
Their statement evoked the spirit of the 1992 Freedom Corner protests, when mothers camped at Uhuru Park demanding the release of political prisoners.
“We stand united, our hearts heavy with grief and our spirits broken,” the group said.
“We are not just caregivers; we are the nation’s moral compass.”
The women condemned what they described as a betrayal by the state through the killing of their children by officers sworn to protect them.
The mothers demanded accountability from the National Police Service (NPS), prosecution of officers who used excessive force, and justice for victims such as the late Albert Ojwang who was buried last week in Homa Bay.
The group also raised alarm over sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) faced by women during protests.
They criticized female leaders who have either supported repressive laws or remained silent in the face of abuse.
“No woman or girl should face violence, harassment, abuse, or rape simply for speaking up,” they said.
They pleaded for peaceful protests, national healing, and a direct appeal to President William Ruto not to vilify the youth.
“We speak life into our children and no one has the right to label them as terrorists for using their voice,” the women stated.
