Activists demand arrests after goons beat petitioners at Mombasa Assembly
Key points
- Human-rights groups say goons attacked activists and a journalist at Mombasa County Assembly on Wednesday as they tried to file a petition.
- VOCAL Africa ED Hussein Khalid said an official (Omar Aruba) needed a head scan; he submitted photos of alleged attackers to police.
- Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno told them investigations were on and arrests would follow.
- Activists including Muhuri’s Francis Auma, She Rises’ Salma Hemed and Haki Africa’s Mathias Shipeta said officers present did not intervene; they will return with the petition.
Wednesday 12 August 2026 at the Mombasa County Assembly ended with a head scan, not a stamped petition. Human-rights groups say they were beaten as they tried to file papers, Eastleigh Voice reported.
VOCAL Africa executive director Hussein Khalid said one official — communications officer Omar Aruba — was hurt while filming and needed a head scan. “We condemn the incidents that happened on Wednesday, including the assault on journalists. Sadly, a journalist was also attacked and injured.” He said the groups had spoken to Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno, who promised investigations and arrests, and that they had handed over photographs of alleged attackers. “If we allow this issue to continue and fail to take action now, the days ahead could be very dark.” Khalid said officers told them the Assembly had called them for security, then stood still: “It is not possible for police officers to be at a scene of violence and still do nothing.” Muhuri’s Francis Auma said goonism had moved from Nairobi, Kisumu and Nyeri to Mombasa. She Rises director Salma Hemed said she was among those beaten and alleged politicians were involved. Haki Africa’s Mathias Shipeta said they will still return to lodge the petition.
A photo dump is not a charge sheet
Nuno’s promise has to become named suspects in court. Assembly security that watches a beating is itself a file for IPOA, not a footnote.
Crime desk: Crime. Verified Wednesday venue, Khalid/Nuno/Hemed remarks and the head-scan claim from Eastleigh Voice.
NPS should name the officers posted to the Assembly that day. IPOA should open a failure-to-protect inquiry if body-worn cameras were off.
The groups should file the petition in writing with the clerk so the next visit is on a register, not only a livestream.
Readers should cross-check any deadline, fee, court date or programme claim against primary gazettes, agency circulars and court records before acting on this report.
Official gazettes, court rulings and agency circulars may update these facts after publication; readers should verify any deadline, fee or court date against primary sources before acting.
Based on Eastleigh Voice reporting of the activists’ Thursday briefing. Arrests had not been announced in that account.
