Nairobi News

We’re faced with another Monday and, since we haven’t heard anything to the contrary, we will yet again be in for another round of CORD’s #IEBCmustgo protests.

I dread at the thought of what went down last week, happening again today. Last week’s protest had me and a colleague closed down at a financial institution, on the corner of Kenyatta Avenue and Koinange Street for close to 45 minutes.

Trouble had started more than 15 minutes before the opposition leaders made their way down the avenue into the CBD. We were inside the banking hall taking care of business, when we heard loud shouts coming from outside.

“Why are you going on with your business when Baba is about to pass?” a man shouted angrily.

ANGRY VOICES

We couldn’t see what was going on outside but then then more angry voices rose, and we could hear hurried or rushed footsteps from outside. Then a scream rang out. That’s when the muggings started.

The two administration police attached to the bank we were at, immediately rushed out to render assistance and bring order back on the street. By then, however, a wave of hooligans had descended on the streets around.

With mob psychology having taken over the crowds, the officers found themselves overwhelmed, and retreated hastily back into the bank along with other members of public wanting to get away to safety.

In their rush to come in, it was totally chaotic as people pushed those in front of them to squeeze into the space between the revolving door and the main door, which was about to be closed.

In the mayhem, one of the officer’s AK-47 rifle got wedged between the sides of the revolving door and the wall. It came apart in a loud, shattering sound; its springs and parts, including the bullet cartridge, flying all over the place.

SURVIVAL INSTINCTS

That’s when I saw survival instincts kick in as one of the members of public who figured he was in the lions’ den, went from trying to cross the streets to clapping and chanting the protest slogans.

He jumped up and down, pumped his fists in the air and stayed in the same spot as the menacing crowd passed him. It was strange to see, but it sure made sense to the phrase “if you can’t beat them, join them”.

And when it seemed that his coast was clear, he proceeded on his way while making a call, no doubt to narrate his near escape to his loved ones.

The main wave of protestors made its way into CBD now, with the opposition leaders halfway out through the roof of their vehicles.

They felt jubilant seeing their supporters around them, but those taking collective shelter inside buildings had only one common outlook; that of disdain towards the party and its ” followers “.

FORM A BARRIER

It’s bad enough Monday is almost no one’s favourite day of the week. Now you have to add fear to the whole dynamics of loathing to it? Maybe this time the police will form a barrier between the protestors and the general public all the way of their procession, rather than simply wait for them at IEBC offices.

In effect they will provide more security for businesses and non-protesters while at the same time ensuring the protesters exercise their constitutional freedom to picket. Put the politics aside and look out for public interest first, this is to both parties trying to upstage each other.

We need no other reason to not like Monday mornings; let it being the break from the weekend be reason enough. Otherwise, be vigilant and keep away from areas of the protest just to be surely safe.