Suspected hired goons launched a brazen two-wave attack on All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on Friday, June 13, 2026, violently disrupting a post-budget public forum and robbing attendees in scenes captured in full by surveillance cameras — yet most of the suspects remain at large.
The forum, convened a day after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi presented the 2026/27 national budget, had brought together civil society leaders, religious figures, lawyers, and members of the public to discuss the budget’s implications for ordinary Kenyans. What was meant to be a peaceful civic forum quickly turned into a scene of chaos and fear.
According to CCTV footage that has since gone public, the first group of attackers arrived at 9:39 a.m. riding motorcycles, forcing their way into the cathedral compound. The cameras clearly captured their faces and motorcycle registration plates. Police responded swiftly, repelling the gang toward Valley Road by 9:44 a.m. As they fled, however, the attackers allegedly turned on pedestrians along Kenyatta Avenue, robbing passersby in broad daylight.
The situation took a more alarming turn barely 30 minutes later. At around 10:11 a.m., the same gang returned — this time on foot, having abandoned their motorcycles. CCTV cameras captured them calmly walking into the church compound and heading straight for the conference venue where the budget forum was still ongoing.
Inside the building, scenes of confusion erupted. At least five suspected goons were captured on second-floor cameras confronting and robbing attendees who attempted to flee to the third floor. One participant was overpowered mid-escape. A police officer seen trying to intervene appeared overwhelmed. Outside, a gunshot was fired in an attempt to disperse the attackers.
One suspect was subsequently arrested and transferred to Kibra Police Station. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations visited the scene on Saturday to collect evidence.
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya condemned the attack in strong terms. “The violent disruption of a peaceful public forum is unacceptable and undermines democratic engagement and dialogue,” the council said in a statement.
The Law Society of Kenya and the Defenders Coalition separately issued statements calling for swift investigations and prosecutions. “The growing use of organised gangs to intimidate citizens and disrupt lawful public gatherings poses a serious threat to the rule of law and constitutional freedoms,” they warned.
Despite clear CCTV footage identifying the suspects by face and vehicle, most remain free — leaving a troubling question unanswered: how do you get caught on camera and still walk free?
