Chaos as goons break up Saba Saba briefing at KHRC offices
Ruth Mumbi addresses the media outside the Kenya Human Rights Commission offices in Nairobi on July 6, 2025 shortly after goons stormed the premises and disrupted a press conference.
What you need to know:
- The briefing was abruptly interrupted when a group of young men stormed the venue.
- Some mothers were left stranded and in tears as the attackers fled with their belongings.
A press briefing by Mothers of Kenya was violently disrupted on Sunday after suspected hired goons stormed the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices in Nairobi, threatening the women against joining Saba Saba protests.
The briefing was to provide a platform for women to mourn victims of police brutality, raise concerns about state repression and demand accountability from authorities ahead of the historic day.
human rights defender Maryanne Kasina speaks to the media outside Muthangari Police Station, Nairobi on July 6, 2025 after recording a statement following an attack by goons who stormed a press conference at the Kenya Human Rights Commission offices.
Saba Saba, marked every July 7, symbolises Kenya’s long struggle for democracy and civic freedoms.
Eyewitnesses said the briefing was abruptly interrupted when a group of young men stormed the venue, hurling insults, kicking tables and chairs and snatching mobile phones, laptops and other valuables from the women.
Some mothers, who had brought their children, were left stranded and in tears as the attackers fled with their belongings.
“It is shocking that in this day and age women cannot peacefully express themselves without intimidation. I came with my babies and could not escape so they stole my phone and ordered me out of the venue,” said Ms Noosim Naimasiah, who had attended the event with her two children.
The masked goons numbering in the dozens and armed with rungus overpowered private guards and broke into the KHRC offices at exactly 1.59pm.
Some of the women who had come from Kayole, Kibra, Kawangware and Dagoretti managed to identify a few of the young men.
Despite the attack and threats, the women said they remain committed to their demands for an end to state violence and repression during protests and vowed to join other Kenyans in Saba Saba demonstrations.
“As mothers, we cannot bear the thought of our children's lives being cut short by senseless violence. Life is sacred. No one should ever take it away,” they declared.
They urged leaders to show solidarity with victims rather than support restrictive public order laws that suppress free expression.
“It’s honestly disappointing to see women in leadership remain silent or even support public order laws that make it harder for the rest of us to speak up,” they said, calling for safer protest spaces for women and girls.