Nyali MP Mohamed Ali has urged Mombasa youth to avoid participating in anti-government protests, asserting that they have been taken over by individuals with heinous plans.
Ali’s appeal followed a day of unprecedented chaos in Mombasa, where protests meant to be peaceful turned violent.
Reports indicated that two people lost their lives, numerous others were injured, and properties worth millions were destroyed.
The unrest also led to the closure of schools and businesses, disrupting daily activities.
During a press conference, political tensions between Ali and Governor Abdulswamad Nassir were evident as Ali accused the Governor of inciting the protests.
Ali criticized Nassir for advising protesters not to cause chaos, arguing that the protests had already caused significant economic harm.
Ali remarked that the county loses substantial revenue when businesses are closed, and warned the Governor not to complain about a lack of funds for employee salaries and services in the coming months.
“The protests have prevented parents from earning their daily bread and traders from opening their businesses,” said Ali.
He added that those injured in the protests would receive free treatment in public hospitals.
Ali urged Mombasa youth to refrain from criminal activities disguised as protests, warning that such actions could destabilize the country similar to neighbouring nations affected by bad politics and tribalism.
“Let’s not destroy our country because of the greed of certain people,” he said.
He also advised the media to exercise caution in their coverage, stressing the importance of promoting peace.
“Learn to know what to air and what not to air because if the country is destroyed, we will all go down. There will be no first-class or second-class citizens in this country. Everyone will be a victim. Please, when you’re airing these things, you must preach peace,” Ali appealed.
Ali noted that out of 47 counties, only four witnessed protests on Tuesday, suggesting that people were beginning to see that the issue was beyond the finance bill.
“This is not about the finance bill. It is about something else that people are now trying to take advantage of to destabilize this country,” he said.
He urged protesters to give the Head of State time to address the issues, noting that the President had agreed to return the Finance Bill, 2024 to the National Assembly for review and engage the youth with forthcoming changes.
Ali committed to engaging the youth personally, stating, “I don’t care whether I will be hit or not. I am going to preach peace because that is my mission now to talk to the youth.”
Ali pleaded with the youth to avoid destroying the country, fighting each other, damaging properties, and causing harm and asked them to allow the police to maintain law and order.
He also called on politicians funding the protests to stop, emphasizing that “this country is bigger than all of us.”
Supporting Ali’s sentiments, Francis Muteria urged adherence to the President’s call for dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.
Bishop Rehab Kuria appealed to the youth to halt the protests and embrace dialogue to prevent lawlessness.
“As parents, we are aggrieved. Can we take care of our children? Let’s speak to our children, bring them down, pray for them, and support them even in this time,” said the Bishop.
Mustafa Juma expressed concern that the initially peaceful protests were now leading the nation towards anarchy, urging the youth to stop the protests.
Sheikh Yusuf Swaleh highlighted the challenges of commuting in Mombasa due to the protests, noting that criminals had taken over the demonstrations, causing widespread fear and insecurity.
