WHO LET THE GOONS OUT?

Police in Kenya are denying using hired thugs to intimidate protesters. On 17 June, people pitched up in central Nairobi to voice their anger at the latest death in police custody. But the peaceful rally soon turned into a scene of battle after a large group of hooligans turned up and started harassing the crowd. They were armed with sticks and whips, and many were riding motorbikes. A police chief in the city has since outrageously tried to claim that the mob and the protesters were as good as ‘indistinguishable.’ Yet while police used tear gas against the demonstrators who were calling for justice and an end to lethal police brutality, the gang of attackers were largely left alone by the security forces. Some of the protesters say they recognised police officers, while opposition politicians have also raised their suspicions that the state is funding the street violence.