In Malindi, human rights activists are calling for swift action following an alleged attack by hired goons, believed to be linked to a local politician. The incident reportedly took place on Thursday in Kakoneni, Malindi Sub-County, during a public awareness campaign led by activists addressing social issues, including complaints about substandard work on a school building funded by the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
The activists have urged Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja to investigate and arrest the politician and an aide who they claim orchestrated the attack. Mr. Hussein Khalid, the Executive Director of Africa Voice, along with Victor Kaudo from the Malindi Community Human Rights Centre, voiced their frustrations during a press briefing in Malindi on Friday, condemning what they called an “orchestrated attempt to silence human rights defenders.” They emphasized that despite the attack, they would persist in their efforts to educate local citizens about their rights and expose any misconduct by public officials.
According to the activists, the assailants targeted a vehicle transporting female activists, allegedly attempting to drag them into nearby thickets with apparent intent to harm them. Quick action by the activists’ driver, who sped away from the scene toward Malindi town, prevented any further escalation. “It’s disheartening that innocent women trying to raise awareness about public rights were subjected to such aggression,” Mr. Kaudo remarked. He called for a thorough investigation and emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable.
The activists reported that they had set up a gathering point at Kakoneni, aiming to engage the public on matters of local interest. However, tensions rose when individuals believed to be associated with the politician disrupted the event. Allegedly, these individuals demanded that the activists dismantle their setup, which led to verbal exchanges that escalated into physical altercations. Furthermore, reports emerged of activists being attacked at Kakoneni Junction on the Malindi-Sala Gate Road. In both instances, the quick response by the activists’ team prevented the situation from spiraling further out of control.
In their statements, activists Khalid and Kaudo accused local police officers and area administrators of showing little interest in their complaints. They claimed that officials refused to offer them support or protection despite being aware of the incident. This alleged lack of assistance has fueled suspicions of collusion between the politician and local authorities. “Such actions only embolden those who believe they can silence critics through intimidation,” Mr. Khalid said, expressing his concerns over the apparent failure of local law enforcement to safeguard citizens’ rights.
Adding to the controversy, the activists have been outspoken about a school building project at Kakoneni Primary School, which was funded through the NG-CDF. They allege that the construction quality is subpar, citing the project as an example of how public funds are mismanaged in the constituency. The involvement of human rights activists in calling out such irregularities, they argue, is crucial in promoting accountability and encouraging public participation in governance.
Malindi Member of Parliament Amina Laura Mnyazi addressed the issue shortly after reports of the incident surfaced, categorically denying any involvement in the attack on the activists. “Such actions are unacceptable and must be condemned,” Ms. Mnyazi stated in a message on social media, urging those affected to formally report the incident to appropriate authorities for investigation. She also acknowledged the activists’ concerns about the quality of construction at Kakoneni Primary School and mentioned she had already summoned the NG-CDF board and the contractor responsible to provide an explanation regarding the alleged issues.
Ms. Mnyazi clarified that while she holds an oversight role as an MP concerning the NG-CDF, she does not directly manage day-to-day activities related to the fund. “My focus is on ensuring transparency and accountability, not only in project implementation but also in ensuring that the constituents benefit as intended,” she noted, adding that she had engaged with national authorities to further investigate the complaints raised by the activists.
The incident has prompted renewed discussions about freedom of speech, accountability, and the role of public officials in ensuring transparency in Kenya. Human rights defenders, such as Mr. Khalid and Mr. Kaudo, have highlighted their commitment to exposing what they see as systemic corruption and malpractices within the community. They insist that they will continue their work, despite the attempt to intimidate them. “Kenya is a free country where everyone has the right to hold discussions and deliberate on matters that affect them,” Mr. Khalid stated, underscoring the activists’ determination to reconvene their campaign at a later date.
The incident has spotlighted the often-tense relationship between civil society advocates and political figures in Kenya. Many human rights groups are now calling on the government to create a safer environment for activists and journalists, who frequently risk their safety to hold officials accountable. As the demand for justice in this case grows, activists hope that law enforcement will treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves and set a precedent against any form of intimidation or violence directed at defenders of human rights.
