Machakos: 4 injured in attack as they marked International Women's Day

The victims who included women, men, youth and people living with disabilities sustained injuries after they were attacked by suspected goons near Yeyani Resort area in Mavoko, Athi River sub county.

A police officer living with disability was among those attacked by the gang.

The visually impaired cop fell after he was hit by the attackers.

They had just started a procession along the 39  Bridge – Quarry Road within Mavoko sublocation in the outskirts of Athi River Town displaying placards condemning injustices against women while a group of men armed with machetes, rungus and stones attacked them from behind at about 9.30 am.

The attack prompted the procession to mark the International Women’s Day to end prematurely.

The suspected goons fled the scene in waiting motor vehicles.

Officers from the Athi River police station later responded to the scene and guarded the Yeyan Resort hotel where those who were participating in the International Women’s Day celebration sought refuge.

Machakos County Police Commander Patrick Lobolia confirmed the incident stating that the matter was reported to the Athi River police station.

Lobolia said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives attached to the Athi River police station launched investigations into the incident.

“The DCI Athi River is investigating the incident,” Lobolia told the Star on the phone shortly after the incident occurred.

The Star established that some of the injured people were rushed to Shalom Community Hospital for treatment.

“Uknown assailants on boda boda ambushed the participants before the event could commence injuring four individuals. The victims were promptly rushed to Shalom Community hospital for treatment,” a police report seen by the Star read in part.

Police said officers were dispatched to the scene but the attackers had already fled.

Some of the human rights activists who were among those attacked during the incident condemned acts of hooliganism on what they termed as peaceful protestors and women.

"Just when we started a peaceful procession while at the Yeyani Resort entrance, some goons emerged with machete, rungus, stones and all sorts of crude weapons and started hacking protestors, some hurled stones at us,” Tracy Kadada said.

They addressed the press shortly after the situation calmed.

Some officers from Athi River police station responded to the scene and told the women to call off the procession

“Mimi nilinyang’anywa shamba kwa sababu mimi ni mschana Mtaita, niliambiwa siwezi ridhi shamba. My uncles took our land, my inheritance. End violence on women, we speak for the weak,” Kadada said.

She said she was threatened by some of the goons.

“Some of the goons said they would hack me to pieces. We are oppressed in our own country,” she said.

Kadada said they had obtained a police permit to conduct the peaceful procession as they marked the day.

Anne Nasimiyu said as women, they wanted the government to tell them what their rights are in the country.

“Men brandishing machetes to us telling us that they would slash us and hacking people in broad daylight as we watch, are we Kenyans?" she posed.

"We have constitutional right of association and movement. This is to show us that women have got no rights, widows have been denied their rights to own land, their properties have been taken away from them,” Nasimiyu added.

She said the attackers emerged from behind as they were headed towards Mombasa Road.

“We only had placards in our hands. The walk was to raise awareness on women who are suffering including victims of gender based violence. We came to stand with the women who have been oppressed,” Nasimiyu said.

Sarah Mainge said she stands with women because they have gone through lots of injustices.

“Today is the International Women’s Day, do I not have a right to say, 'Guys, this is what I’m going throug?' Tumenyang’anywa na wanaume wakachukua mashamba zetu. It was a peaceful walk, I’m a mother of five. Why should I come to cause war on the road?”