Crystal Asige slams selective violence after goons disrupt KHRC presser
By Ascah Mwango, July 7, 2025Nominated Senator Crystal Asige has condemned what she described as selective violence after armed goons stormed a press conference organised by grieving mothers at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices ahead of the Saba Saba protests.
In her statement on Sunday, July 6, 2025, Asige highlighted the stark contrast between two press briefings that took place on the same day, one led by mothers and children mourning young people killed during recent protests, and another by MPs issuing warnings to the youth against participating in further demonstrations.
She questioned why violence was only directed at the former, suggesting that the disruption was a deliberate attempt to silence voices demanding accountability and justice. Asige criticised the use of intimidation against bereaved families, arguing that it exposed a troubling double standard in how state or affiliated actors respond to dissent.
“Two press conferences were held today. One by mothers and children mourning the youth, the other by MPs warning the youth. Armed goons were sent to violently disrupt and intimidate one, not the other,” Asige stated.
KHRC conference
The disrupted press conference, held at KHRC’s offices on Amboseli Road in Nairobi, had been convened by women under the Women’s Collective Kenya to raise concerns about enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and killings of protesters in recent weeks.
Just moments after the event began, armed men stormed the venue, dispersing attendees and ending the event in chaos.
The Women’s Collective later confirmed the attack via their official X account.
“URGENT ALERT: Armed goons have attacked the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission @thekhrc, where a press conference was due to be held this afternoon by Kenyan mothers on the eve of Saba Saba.”
They described the attack as a deliberate attempt to intimidate women who were peacefully exercising their right to speak out against injustice.
KHRC had earlier issued a statement changing the venue of the briefing from All Saints’ Cathedral to its own offices, citing safety concerns:
“NOTE: The venue has been changed from All Saints’ Cathedral to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), 849 Amboseli Road, Off Gitanga Road.”
Despite the last-minute change, the attackers still located and disrupted the event.
In contrast, a separate press conference held the same day by a group of Nairobi lawmakers proceeded without incident. The legislators Esther Passaris, Karen Nyamu, Tabitha Mutinda, George Aladwa, and Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o) used their platform to warn the youth against allowing themselves to be used by political figures to incite unrest.
They urged young people to remain vigilant and avoid manipulation by those pursuing selfish political interests.
They called for a shift in focus to the daily struggles of Kenyans, including rising unemployment, insecurity, and the high cost of living.