Okiya Omtatah condemns attack on mothers by goons at KHRC offices
By Nancy Marende, July 7, 2025Busia Senator and human rights defender Okiya Omtatah has condemned the violent attack on a group of grieving mothers who had gathered at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices in Nairobi on Sunday, 6th July 2025.
In a press statement on Monday, July 7, 2025, Omtatah expressed profound outrage and sorrow over the incident, which saw a gang of armed goons attack the women.
“It is unconscionable that, on the eve of the Saba Saba commemorative marches, the genuinely grieving women were brutally assaulted and dispersed by a hired gang of men armed with crude weapons,” he stated.
According to Omtatah, the attackers not only physically harmed the mothers but also silenced their voices with violence and intimidation.
Furthermore, he has blamed the attack on what he termed “reckless and inflammatory rhetoric” coming from President William Ruto and his inner circle.
He accused the highest office in the land of legitimising lawlessness, emboldening thugs to act with impunity, and normalising violence against peaceful citizens.
“This was not an isolated incident. The cowardly but heinous act is a direct consequence of the reckless rhetoric from the highest office in the land. The audacity of these criminals to now operate openly, without the need to disguise their actions by infiltrating peaceful demonstrations, is a grave affront to the rule of law and the principles of justice,” he stated.
The senator asserted that this incident is part of a broader, disturbing trend of state-enabled brutality targeting peaceful demonstrators and civil society actors. He warned that impunity was being institutionalised, with thugs no longer needing to disguise themselves within protests.
“Today’s attack confirms that these thugs now operate with impunity, shielded by a regime that sanctions violence against its own citizens.”
The attack
The Commission had organised a press conference at the private event convened by mothers whose children have been victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary arrests allegedly perpetrated by rogue state agents.
Some of those present during the Sunday drama, including journalists, lost their property. The goons also carted away electronic goods from the offices as they left.
They seemed to have been sent for the mission, and they shouted, saying they did not want the meeting to continue, as it was meant to plan for the Saba Saba protests.
This sent those present scampering for their safety. Some were robbed in the confusion.
The goons said they did not want the commission to plan the Saba Saba rallies planned for July 7, 2025.
Police were informed and said they will investigate the drama.