Shame as goons invade All Saints Cathedral, attack members

NCCK now wants the Inspector General of Police to publicly reveal those behind the attack and ensure they are arrested and prosecuted. 

The chaos began at the entrance of All Saints Cathedral, where goons engaged in a confrontation with security guards as they forced their way into the church grounds and unleashed terror. The attackers moved past the church building to the conference section, where a post-budget conference was taking place.

Within a short time, the goons had gained access to the second floor of the building, unleashing terror on civil society groups attending the event.

Police were forced to intervene and disperse the attackers, who had already destroyed conference materials and assaulted some attendees.

Police later arrested one individual who is currently being held in custody.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) condemned the attack and questioned why a government official would allegedly send armed goons to disrupt a post-budget dialogue forum organized by registered civil society organisations.

NCCK is demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the government official named as the sponsor of the goons. The council further noted that Kenyans' right to access information held by the State, as guaranteed under Article 35 of the Constitution, must be respected.

The Defenders Coalition also expressed concern over what it described as persistent and coordinated attacks against civil society organisations, human rights defenders (HRDs), and staff of human rights institutions across the country.

The coalition added that the attacks appear to be highly coordinated efforts aimed at harassing, intimidating, and silencing civil society organisations as they carry out their lawful work.