This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
On Tuesday morning, police in Mombasa arrested five protesters who were demonstrating against the alleged theft of Covid-19 funds.
The protesters, from various civil rights groups in the city, had gathered at Makadara grounds and were chanting slogans such as 'Haki Yetu' and 'Polisi Shika Wezi', demanding 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, who engaged them in running battles along Makadara Road and part of Digo Road, obstructing traffic flow.
The protesters called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and urged for a probe into the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa).
"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. We are very far away from achieving our aspirations of having a Constitution that will protect people's rights," said Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) Director Mr Khalif Khelef.
He expressed disappointment in the way the protesters were handled and called on Kenyans to have a week of civil disobedience as the country marks 10 years since the 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 added.
Other civil society groups, including HAKI Africa and the Fast Action Movement, also expressed disgust at the arrest of activists.
"Such a move by the police is unacceptable and should not be allowed to go unchecked. Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees Kenyans the right to protest," said HAKI Africa Executive Director Mr Hussein Khalid.
