The National Council of Churches of Kenya has strongly condemned the disruption of a post-budget dialogue meeting at All Saints Cathedral, describing the incident as a blatant attack on a place of worship and an assault on constitutional freedoms.
According to reports, chaos erupted on Friday when a group of individuals allegedly forced their way into the cathedral compound, confronting security personnel before proceeding to a conference venue where civil society groups were holding a post-budget review meeting.
The attackers reportedly bypassed the church sanctuary and moved to the conference section of the premises, where they disrupted proceedings, destroyed materials and allegedly assaulted some participants.
Police officers later intervened and dispersed the group, with at least one suspect reportedly arrested and placed in custody.
NCCK Demands Accountability
In a statement following the incident, NCCK questioned why a forum organized by registered civil society organizations would become the target of such an attack.
The church umbrella body called on the Inspector General of Police to publicly identify those responsible, ensure their arrest, and facilitate their prosecution.
NCCK also demanded investigations into allegations that a government official may have sponsored the disruption, insisting that anyone found culpable should face legal consequences.
The council further emphasized that the right to access information and participate in public discourse is protected under Article 35 of the Constitution and must be safeguarded.
Civil Society Raises Alarm
The Defenders Coalition also condemned the incident, describing it as part of what it termed a growing pattern of intimidation directed at civil society organizations and human rights defenders.
According to the coalition, recent incidents appear aimed at harassing, intimidating and silencing organizations engaged in advocacy, governance and accountability work.
The group urged authorities to protect civic space and guarantee the safety of citizens exercising their constitutional rights to assemble, associate and engage in public discussions.
Broader Concerns
The incident has renewed debate over the protection of civic freedoms, the security of public forums and the role of law enforcement in preventing violence against civil society groups.
Investigations are expected to continue as pressure mounts on authorities to establish who organized the attack and whether those responsible will be brought to justice.
