A press conference by the Nairobi CBD Association
ended in disarray after a group of heavily built men stormed the venue and beat up the chairman.
Former Chairman Timothy Muriuki called the meeting at Boulevard Hotel
to address the problems business people face.
Nairobi CBD Association former Chairman Timothy Muriuki is forced out of Boulevard Hotel by unknown people during the press conference he called on April 30, 2018. /COURTESY
The attackers, however, claimed Muriuki was a conman hired to tarnish Governor Mike Sonko's name.
They roughed him up, tore his statement and dragged him away by the collar of his coat shortly after he started speaking.
One was heard saying:
"Tunakujua. Hatutakuwacha uharibu jina ya Gavana. Haitawezekana
(We know you. We won't let you tarnish the Governor's name. That is impossible)."
Nairobi CBD Association former Chairman Timothy Muriuki is attacked by unknown people during the press conference he called at Boulevard Hotel in Nairobi, April 30, 2018. /JULIUS OTIENO
The goons forced the ex-chairman out of the hotel's gate where he was attacked by more people who had been waiting there.
They tore his coat, punched and kicked him, forcing him to run to Norfolk Towers for safety.
Nairobi CBD Association former Chairman Timothy Muriuki is attacked by unknown people during the press conference he called at Boulevard Hotel in Nairobi, April 30, 2018. /JULIUS OTIENO
The statement the former chair was to read notes support for Sonko and asks that he be given a chance to fulfill his promises.
It acknowledges that Nairobi needs improvements in areas such as drainage and solid waste management but says "it is escapist, unrealistic and misleading to attribute [its] woes to a single institution, let alone the Governor."
The following is the full statement: