Kenya: Riots reported in Kilifi July 2

Event

Riots broke out in the town of Kilifi late in the evening on Sunday, July 2, following the shooting of a suspected drug dealer by a prison guard on Sunday morning. Kilifi residents threw stones and set up roadblocks on the Mombasa-Malindi road.

There are differing reports over the circumstances leading to the original shooting, however it allegedly took place during the raid of a drug den. Protesters claim the police shot an innocent bystander in the back while conducting the raid, while the police claim they were provoked.

Anti-riot police were deployed to disperse protesters. However transportation disruptions in the vicinity of the Mombasa-Malindi road remain possible, particularly if further protests develop in the coming days.

Context

Kenya has recently experienced increasingly frequent bouts of sociopolitical and socioeconomic unrest, sectarian tensions, and inter-communal violence. Security forces often use a heavy-handed approach in quelling protests.

Advice

Individuals are advised to avoid all protests, anticipate an increased security presence around Kilifi, and remain vigilant due to the possibility of violence.​