Gov't supporters or goons? Mystery of protesters on motorbikes in Nairobi CBD
Protesters on motorbikes on Tuesday invaded Nairobi's Central
Business District (CBD) in support of the ruling administration during
Tuesday’s anti-government protests.
The protesters appeared to have been well-organised and
mobilised to counter the anti-government protesters.
The group later clashed with other motorbike taxi operators
before they ran out of the CBD.
The pro-government protesters had easy access to the CBD, with
police virtually standing by and allowing them to carry on with their
activities.
They were first observed at fueling stations in the CBD where
scores of young men on their motorbikes, appeared to congregate around vehicles
whose occupants appeared to be coordinating the day's activities.
They seemed to be preparing for a mission and soon after, the
mission became clear when the groups converged at Uhuru Park in the CBD.
In an organised manner, the group, then made its way into the
centre of the capital riding on their boda bodas, honking, whistling and
chanting pro-government slogans.
The placards they carried also showed their intention to
counter any anti-government protests that had been anticipated in the city.
In a break from previous demonstrations, the pro-government
protesters were able to access the CBD with little to no hindrance from the
pockets of police officers who had been dispatched to the CBD.
They moved from street to street with almost reckless abandon,
until another group of boda boda operators based in the CBD came face to face
with the pro-government group.
The CBD boda bodas accused the pro-government group of
looting.
A confrontation ensued, leaving several people injured and at
least two motorbikes burnt to near ashes.
The pro-government protesters eventually departed from the CBD
after nearly an hour before they were seen riding towards the outskirts, their
mission appearing to have been accomplished.
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