Chaos erupted outside the Mombasa County Assembly after a group of youth advocates and human rights defenders was allegedly attacked by suspected goons while attempting to present a memorandum on the implementation of the Mombasa County Youth Policy.
The advocates, drawn from VOCAL Africa and partner organisations, had visited the Assembly as part of activities marking International Youth Day.
According to VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, the group intended to present the memorandum to the Speaker of the Mombasa County Assembly, but the engagement was disrupted after a group of individuals confronted the delegation.
Footage from the scene shows a confrontation outside the Assembly, with individuals pushing members of the group and throwing punches as the situation escalated.
VOCAL Africa said several human rights defenders were injured during the incident. The organisation’s communications officer, Omar Ahmed, was among those reportedly injured.
The group is pushing for the effective implementation of the Mombasa County Youth Policy, which is intended to address issues affecting young people, including employability, social development and access to youth-focused programmes.
Mombasa County’s 2026/27 programme-based budget lists the development of a youth policy and the establishment of youth resource centres among its planned youth affairs initiatives.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of young people and human rights defenders participating in civic engagement and public advocacy.
VOCAL Africa has condemned the alleged assault and said it would pursue available legal avenues while calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
