A public participation forum held at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi was cut short after a group of individuals stormed the venue and disrupted the proceedings, causing panic among attendees and raising concerns about the safety of civic engagement events.
The meeting had been organized by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) in collaboration with several civil society organizations. The gathering was intended to examine the proposed 2026/2027 national budget and provide members of the public with an opportunity to contribute their views on government expenditure and development priorities.
According to witnesses, discussions were proceeding peacefully before the situation changed when a group of people entered the cathedral and began causing disturbances. Attendees reported moments of confusion and fear as the intruders allegedly attempted to grab mobile phones and other personal belongings from participants.
The disruption forced many people to seek safety while organizers worked to regain control of the meeting. As tensions escalated, security personnel stationed nearby were alerted to the situation and moved in to intervene.
Reports from the scene indicate that police officers acted to disperse those responsible for the disturbance and eventually restored order at the venue. Authorities later confirmed that at least one individual had been arrested and taken into custody for questioning as investigations began into the incident.
The matter quickly attracted public attention after videos recorded during and after the chaos were widely shared on social media platforms. One of the clips appeared to show an arrested suspect making allegations about individuals who had allegedly sent them to the event. However, the claims circulated online have not been independently verified.
Following the incident, the Kenya Human Rights Commission issued a statement condemning the disruption and expressing concern over reports that some attendees lost valuables during the commotion. The organization called for a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly what transpired and to identify all those involved.
As of the time of publication, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi had not issued any official response regarding the allegations that emerged online after the incident.
The events at All Saints Cathedral have reignited discussions about the security of public participation forums and the need to safeguard spaces where citizens can openly engage in discussions on matters of national importance. Investigations remain ongoing as the public awaits further clarification and accountability.