The shocking abduction and gang-rape of Mombasa-based blogger Bruce John, popularly known as Chawa, has ignited outrage across the country, prompting widespread calls for justice and accountability for those involved.
Chawa was reportedly abducted from his home in Bamburi by individuals allegedly linked to Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir. He was subsequently assaulted, sodomized, and abandoned at a dumpsite in the Mwakirunge area of Mombasa County. While four suspects have been charged with his abduction and sexual assault, many Kenyans are demanding the arrest and prosecution of Governor Abdulswamad, who Chawa has accused of orchestrating the attack.
In response to the allegations, Governor Abdulswamad has vehemently denied any involvement, claiming that he is the target of a political witch-hunt by his adversaries. “This time around, those of you abusing and criticizing us, even implicating our parents, what we will do to you come 2027, we will not do it right now. We will wait for 2027 and remind all the evils you have done to our people,” he stated on Monday.
The governor confirmed that he has been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), along with his mother, to provide statements regarding Chawa’s assault. Additionally, Mombasa County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Lands and Urban Planning, Mohamed Hussein, was arrested in connection with Chawa’s case but was released on Monday after securing anticipatory bail.
Chawa, a vocal supporter of Mombasa Woman Rep Zamzam Mohamed and a strong critic of Governor Abdulswamad, has utilized social media, particularly TikTok, to voice his discontent with the governor’s administration. In his videos, he has accused the Mombasa County government of mismanagement and inaction regarding the island’s issues. His staunch defense of Zamzam, who he claims has been actively fighting for the residents of Mombasa, has reportedly incensed the governor’s camp, leading to the alleged retaliation against him.
In numerous videos, Chawa has pledged to staunchly defend Zamzam Mohamed, the Mombasa Woman Rep, taking on anyone who opposes her. During one such mission, he lost his temper and dragged the names of Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir’s mother and wife into their online feud.
In a particularly inflammatory video, Chawa openly insults the governor’s family, retaliating against what he alleged were similar slurs directed at Zamzam and her husband. He also accused Abdulswamad of neglecting residents from “watu wa bara,” the area where Zamzam is said to originate. It is believed that these insults provoked Chawa’s subsequent abduction by individuals purportedly connected to the governor.
Chawa’s abductors approached his home under the pretense that the governor wanted to meet him at a hotel in Mombasa to resolve their differences. In an interview from his hospital bed, where he was receiving treatment following the assault, he recounted how approximately 20 captors transported him on a motorcycle to the supposed meeting place, only to force him into a waiting car instead.
Once inside the vehicle, Chawa was blindfolded and sandwiched between two men, who confronted him about his derogatory remarks toward the governor and his family. “When we got to Nyali Bridge, they placed a sack over my head and began to assault me, asking why I was tarnishing the name of Governor Abdulswamad. The beatings continued as we drove for a while,” Chawa shared.
Eventually, they reached a location where he was thrown from the car and surrounded by his abductors. “They began taking turns beating me while I lay on the ground. I begged them to let me go, but they ignored my pleas. Then, two individuals who typically collect waste in Mombasa began to sodomize me in turns while the others recorded the horrific incident,” a tearful Chawa recounted.
The abductors threatened to leak the recorded video if Chawa dared to reveal what had happened to him.
The assault went on for hours during the night, and at some point he passed out. Chawa says he heard one of the gang leaders speak to Governor Abdulswamad on phone who allegedly sent them Ksh10,000 for the good work they had done.
He further claims the governor sent another Ksh7,000 to the gang. The gang would later dump him in an abandoned building near the Mwakirunge dumpsite in Mombasa, where Chawa trekked for a few kilometres and a bodaboda rider drove him to Bamburi, where he narrated what had happened to his family.
Chawa recorded a statement at Bamburi Police Station and was later taken to the Coast General Hospital where he claims nurses were reluctant to attend to him after he mentioned that the Governor’s people had assaulted him.
He was transferred to another facility where he was admitted and treated.
“All I want is justice. These guys assaulted me for speaking my mind. I am calling on the authorities and human rights defenders to help me get justice,” he asked.
So far, four people have been arrested and charged with the assault. Kenyans have come out in large numbers to demand justice for Chawa, with many calling for Governor Abdulswamad to be arrested and charged.
The governor has since denied any wrongdoing, and has been summoned by DCI to record a statement over the same.
His CEC for Lands Mohamed was briefly arrested and released on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chawa hopes justice will prevail.
