Mombasa Governor Abdul Swamad Nassir has vehemently denied any connection to the horrific gang rape of Bruce John Chawa, a local blogger who was abducted and assaulted after posting a controversial video. Chawa’s viral clip, which hurled insults at the governor’s mother and wife, sparked outrage online before the blogger was later brutally attacked.
“This country has a history of people being coerced, coached to talk about things,” Governor Nassir said, rejecting claims that he or his family were involved . This he said in a press conference on September 30.
“The president himself had witnesses being coached when he was at the Hague. I only hurt because of how my mom has been dragged, abused, and now being accused just because she gave birth to me.” He added.
Chawa’s abduction and assault have drawn sharp condemnation, with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo calling the attack a reflection of broader failings in leadership. “The heart-wrenching account of the ordeal suffered by the Mombasa-based blogger, Bruce John, bespeaks everything that is wrong with the leadership of our country,” Faith said in a fiery statement on X (formerly Twitter). “No humanity, no conscience, no regard for the sanctity of human life, rights, and liberty.”
Faith did not mince words, demanding swift action from the authorities. “This display of impunity and criminality in leadership is indefensible, and perpetrators must be held to account. We call on the DCI to immediately bring the individuals behind these heinous acts to book and demand that the ODPP institute charges against such criminal conduct. Kenya is a country governed by the rule of law, and nobody is above it, especially not any state officer that might be involved.”
Court documents show that in September, Chawa posted a video on TikTok criticizing the governor, which quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. He was later abducted by unknown assailants who gang-raped and assaulted him.
As the investigation unfolds, the pressure is mounting on authorities to deliver justice in what is shaping up to be one of the most shocking cases in recent times.
