This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
On August 25, 2020, protests against the alleged theft of Covid-19 funds spread to Mombasa, where police arrested five activists.
The demonstrators, from various civil rights groups, gathered at Makadara grounds and demanded accountability for the funds meant for the fight against coronavirus.
However, they were met with anti-riot police officers armed with batons and teargas canisters, leading to running battles along Makadara Road and part of Digo Road.
Protestors called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and urged for a probe into the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa).
They vowed to continue demonstrating until all the suspects involved are arrested.
While making the arrests, the police maintained that the protests were illegal due to Covid-19 guidelines.
Human rights groups, including Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) and HAKI Africa, expressed disappointment in the way the protestors were handled.
"It is very unfortunate that as I turn 71 today, I have participated in this demo which I did 30 years ago and we are still doing the same thing," said Muhuri Director Mr Khalif Khelef.
"Police response is very unfair and this is a sign that the police do not work independently. People demonstrate because there is a real problem, embezzlement of the Covid-19 funds," he added.
He called on Kenyans to have a week of civil disobedience as the country marks 10 years since promulgation of the New Constitution.
"We are back to square one. Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga want to take us back to the dark days through BBI," he said.
