A gang of about eight people threw four petrol bombs into the compound of the Nairobi weekly newspaper “The People”, situated along Waiyaki Way in Westlands area, on 18 September 1996 shortly after midnight. The bombs exploded after hitting the wall and window of the accounts office but did not cause any major damage. Two […]
A gang of about eight people threw four petrol bombs into the
compound of the Nairobi weekly newspaper “The People”, situated
along Waiyaki Way in Westlands area, on 18 September 1996 shortly
after midnight. The bombs exploded after hitting the wall and
window of the accounts office but did not cause any major damage.
Two molotov cocktails hit the wall of the building and exploded on
the ground. Two others hit windows and blackened them on
exploding.
NDIMA visited the offices of “The People” on 19 September and
witnessed the damage caused by the light bombs. NDIMA was informed
that, when the attackers threw the bombs over the fence from
Waiyaki Way, the whole compound lit up and there was a big
explosion. Two security guards spotted the attackers as they ran
across Waiyaki Way after accomplishing their mission. NDIMA was
told that guards at a casino opposite the premises saw the bombers
run away and raised the alarm. Police officers on patrol were
alerted and helped the guards to put down the fire.
Later in the day, anonymous callers made death threats to two
senior employees of the weekly. The paper’s editor-in-chief,
George Mbuggus, told NDIMA he received a warning at 13:33 hours on
18 September that he would be the next victim if he continued
writing dirty things against the government. A senior writer,
Irungu Ndirangu, was also warned, at 13:44 hours. “We are looking
for you! Be careful about what you write for that paper!” the
anonymous caller is reported to have said.
Police on 18 September revisited the scene and took photographs.
“We suspect the attack was carried out by parking boys. We do not
know whether they were sent on that mission and if so by who,” a
senior police officer was quoted as having said.
Mbuggus said no amount of intimidation and harassment will deter
the newspaper from performing its duty. No arrests have so far
been made.
