Rongai Unraveled: Inside the Police-Centered Chaos
Thursday, June 27, marked an unforgettable day for Ong’ata Rongai residents, as the Nairobi suburb experienced events that resulted in two fatalities, and six injuries, and left the community dealing with the aftermath.
Eyewitnesses and videos obtained by Gossipa2z.com revealed significant police failures, including poor preparation and inadequate armament, amidst growing unrest.
Rongai, a key residential suburb in Nairobi’s Metropolitan Area, had a population of 172,569 as per the 2019 census.
Five notable spots along Magadi Road, which links Rongai to Kiserian and the larger Kajiado area, are essential to comprehending the day’s events: Maasai Lodge, Tumaini (home to Maasai Mall), Nyotu (where Ongata Rongai Police Station is situated), Tuskys (a busy area with the main bus stop, banks, and Cleanshelve Supermarket), and Kware, a ghetto located just past Tuskys bus stop.
The unrest began between 11 am and 12 pm, with protestors gathering in various parts of Rongai. One group mobilized at the Maasai Lodge stage and moved towards Tuskys, undeterred by police teargas.
Simultaneously, another group advanced from Kiserian towards Tuskys, while a third group came from Kware. As they moved, some protestors began breaking into shops on Fourth Avenue at Nyotu, aiming to loot Cleanshelf and Naivas Supermarkets.
By 1 pm to 2 pm, police clashed with protestors from Maasai Lodge and Tuskys. Officers at Nyotu managed to push protestors back towards Tumaini, but tensions remained high.
Reports of looting at Kware Market and vandalism at Cleanshelf supermarket surfaced.
The police used both live and rubber bullets as they struggled against the protestors.
Between 2 pm and 3 pm, there was a brief period of calm with peaceful demonstrations, but it was short-lived.
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By 4 pm to 5 pm, protestors overwhelmed the police, forcing them to retreat to the station. The protestors then headed towards Tuskys, breaking into shops along Church Road and targeting Cleanshelf Supermarket.
At 5:30 pm, a critical moment occurred when protestors captured a police officer, as shown in a disturbing video from Gossipa2z.com.
The crowd turned violent, beating the officer and taking his firearm. One protestor fired the pistol twice into the air before returning it to the officers, highlighting the day’s volatility and unpredictability.
The supermarket’s entrance was breached between 6 pm and 6:30 pm, triggering widespread looting.
The police responded swiftly but harshly, using live bullets, causing protestors to flee into Kware.
Tragically, a child was shot near Cleanshelf on a feeder road between Tuskys and Kware Market, near Joy Land eatery.
From 7 pm to 9:30 pm, the police continued to fire live bullets while conducting operations in Kware. One more person was reported shot during this time.
The aftermath saw many dealing with losses from vandalized shops and physical injuries. A protestor, who wished to remain anonymous, shared images of a bullet wound sustained near Cleanshelf before the supermarket was breached.
Six people, including two police officers, were critically injured and taken to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), with two confirmed deaths.
The police have yet to release a statement on the day’s events, which many compare to the unrest in Githurai 45 on the night of Tuesday, June 25. More protests are expected in the coming week.
Rongai Unraveled: Inside the Police-Centered Chaos