NASA and Jubilee Party supporters clash near City Hall, Nairobi, May 29, 2017. [Photo: Courtesy]
A contingent of anti-riot police was deployed in Nairobi city centre, after supporters of Jubilee Party and the National Super Alliance (Nasa), confronted each other Monday evening. Eyewitnesses said Jubilee supporters attacked Nasa supporters who usually group themselves near Nakumatt City Hall, weekly, for political discussions.
It is said, Jubilee supporters thought the Nasa supporters were re-grouping to attack them. leading to violence. They smashed packed cars, and business structures such as Chase Bank- Mama Ngina street branch, breaking glasses and windows using stones and clubs, besides burning Nasa-support banners.This followed president Uhuru Kenyatta's change of schedule, where he had organised for a rally at Nyayo National Stadium, after presenting presidential nomination papers to the IEBC, at the KICC.Instead, the rally was being conducted at the KICC COMESA grounds, with aspirants such as Charlse Njagua Kanyi alias Jaguar (Starehe), Ababu Namwamba and senator Mike Sonko in attendance. Police were forced to disperse crowds near KICC, to prevent further damage, even as the number of the injured persons remained unclear.City dwellers and motorists were advised to avoid City Hall Way and ares near KICC, Mama Ngina Street, and the Supreme Court of Kenya.