Four activists arrested during Mombasa demos freed on bail, expected in court today

Four human rights activists arrested on Tuesday in Mombasa for participating in a protest demanding justice for the late teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’ have been released on cash bail of Ksh.5,000 each.

Those arrested are Francis Auma of the MUHURI rights group, Walid Sketty of Haki Afrika, Batuli Swaleh, and Mugambi Gichunge.

They were apprehended by police while peacefully protesting, calling for justice for Ojwang’ and demanding the full resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat.

Lagat had earlier announced that he would step aside temporarily to allow investigations into the death of Ojwang’, who died in police custody after allegedly defaming Lagat online.

However, the protesters argue that his temporary departure is insufficient, claiming he is directly implicated.

Human rights groups in Mombasa County have strongly condemned the arrests, describing them as a blatant violation of constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

They have threatened legal action against the officers involved and vowed to continue pushing for justice for Ojwang’.

“We will not back down. This is just the beginning of a broader struggle against police brutality and the suppression of civil liberties,” said one of the activists after being released.

The four are expected to appear in court in Mombasa on Wednesday, where the official charges against them will be presented.

Alongside the arrests, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) recorded 22 casualties during the Tuesday demonstrations.

KNCHR revealed that the majority of the injuries range from gunshot wounds, head cuts, whip lashes, blunt trauma, and asthma attacks after inhaling teargas.

The commission condemned the chaos witnessed during the protests held in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale counties, pinpointing the deployment of masked goons to infiltrate the demonstrations.