Rights Group, Residents Decry Excessive Force After Three Shot in Mombasa
Three people were shot during a public meeting in Mombasa, sparking condemnation from residents and rights advocates over alleged police brutality.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 22, 2026
2 min read
Three individuals sustained gunshot wounds during a public engagement in Changamwe, Mombasa, prompting strong criticism from local residents and human rights group VOCAL Africa over the use of excessive force.
The incident occurred at Bomu Stadium during a sensitisation meeting led by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir on the newly launched Stawisha Fund, aimed at supporting local residents.
Initially treated at Mikindani Hospital, the injured were later transferred to Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised care.
Police Response and Investigation
Mombasa County Police Commander Stella Jerono confirmed the shooting of three people, alongside multiple injuries and damages to three vehicles amid the unrest.
Jerono explained that tensions escalated when a group of youths began chanting slogans calling for the governor to serve only one term. The situation turned violent as Governor Nassir attempted to address the crowd.
"They chanted the one-term governor, and as the Governor wanted to address them, they became violent, and that is where the fracas started," she stated.
Authorities have launched investigations to identify those responsible for disrupting the event and the shooting, with Jerono vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable.
She also urged police officers assigned to protect public officials to adhere strictly to legal protocols and exercise restraint.
Eyewitness Accounts and Human Rights Concerns
Contrasting the official account, eyewitness Said Kombo described the youths as peaceful, seeking only to engage with Governor Nassir. He alleged that security personnel blocked and pushed the youths, with one bodyguard reportedly brandishing a firearm.
VOCAL Africa reported providing emergency assistance to one of the injured civilians, whom they claim was shot by a governor's bodyguard. The organisation condemned the use of force against unarmed youths and pledged to pursue justice for the victims.
Family members of those injured have also called for thorough investigations into the events.
Police have assured the public that anyone found culpable will face arrest and prosecution.
