Goons Did Not Work With Us: Police On Nairobi CBD Protests
Seda distanced ties between law enforcement and criminal groups, even though witnesses reported that thugs were seen collaborating with police officers during the protests
Marvin Chege 
Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda on Wednesday, June 18, denied allegations that police officers colluded with hired goons who launched attacks on protesters during the June 17 protests in the Central Business District (CBD).
Addressing the media, Seda distanced ties between law enforcement and criminal groups, even though witnesses reported that thugs were seen collaborating with police officers during the protests, their accounts corroborated by multiple video clips that went viral on social media.
According to the police boss, some of the goons had gone on the offensive against them and were resorting to more dangerous weapons, a matter he assured the police would get more information on once they manage to arrest some of them.
A photo of Nairobi police chief George Seda during the National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA) Ngong on November 15, 2023. /CITIZEN DIGITAL
“For the question of goons and guns, we had no connection. We have formed a team to investigate what led to their involvement, who hired them, and who brought them there.
"Some of them were even attacking us with stones. We suspect some may now be using fibreglass rods. Once we arrest a few, we will interrogate them and establish who sent them,” he said.
For most of Tuesday, the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) was engulfed in tension as suspected hired goons launched attacks on protesters calling for justice over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.
The assailants, armed with crude weapons such as knives and clubs, targeted both demonstrators and unsuspecting civilians, stealing handbags, phones, and other valuables.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, strongly condemned the violence, alleging that the goons operating in the CBD were acting under instructions from a government official.
Several Kenyans had linked Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to the sponsoring of goons. However, the county boss denied the allegations and condemned the act by club-wielding goons to destroy property and rob Kenyans, claiming the goons had originated from outside the capital city.
His denial was despite a video showing club-wielding men passing outside Governor Sakaja's office shouting, "We protected the city, Sakaja". The alleged goons, believed to have been ferried by motorbikes into the city to stop the protests, could be heard chanting in support of Sakaja, leading some to believe that the governor was connected to the goons.
In the meantime, Seda stated that security agencies have confirmed they are fully prepared for the upcoming demonstrations set for Wednesday, June 25, 2025, which are being held to mark last year’s historic Gen Z protests.
According to him, police had received formal notification from the organisers and assured the public that all necessary measures were in place to maintain safety and order.
“We have the plan and we shall be there to provide enough and good security to ensure every person who is going to participate and those not going to participate will be safe, for that matter,” said Seda, adding, “As for June 25th, we have enhanced plans. We equally have a copy of the letter which was delivered to Central (Police Station)."
Commander Seda called on protesters to remain peaceful and avoid provoking the police, noting that such actions have led to violence during recent demonstrations.
“Let’s restrict ourselves to what we call peaceful demonstrations. Let’s not have demonstrations which are going to interfere with other people who may not be part of the demonstrators,” he appealed.
“Remember, it will be a working day and we shall be having people operating hotels, shops and other businesses. We are looking uncivilised when we start converging, and then as we continue, it turns violent and beats the logic of conducting it, which makes the situation worse.”
