The government has vowed to prevent any planned crime or destruction resulting from the ongoing anti-government protests across the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki condemned the violence witnessed during nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday, stating that it had caused unrest, destroyed public property, and paralyzed transportation in some of the counties where protests occurred.
The CS noted that some criminals, posing as protestors, infiltrated peaceful demonstrations to loot, destroy property, and incite public unrest.
Referring to the planned protests scheduled throughout the week, CS Kindiki issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, asserting that security agencies would prevent such incidents at any cost.
“Notwithstanding the termination of the Bill, hordes of marauding criminal gangs continue to pose a grave danger to the public, riding on announced plans for peaceful protests to disturb public order, commit arson, obstruct public transport and terrorise the people of Kenya with violence,” the CS said.
“The organisers of today’s orgy of violence in parts of Nairobi, Mombasa and several other parts of the Country are reportedly planning to repeat their anarchic chaos and cruel plunder again on Thursday and Sunday this week, and perhaps much more frequently in the future.”
“This reign of terror against the people of Kenya and the impunity of dangerous criminal gangs must end at whatever cost. The Government is determined to stop criminals aiming to terrorise the public and harm Kenya, notwithstanding attempts to politicise crime,” he added.
According to CS Kindiki, there are unnamed financiers and planners of the protests, whom he assured the public would be brought to justice. He claimed that the protests were politically motivated and that the government would address the issue.
“Upon completion of the ongoing evidential analysis, the Government assures the public that the planners, executors and financiers of large-scale arson, violent robberies and other felonious crimes will be brought to justice,” he said.
Kindiki also praised law enforcement for their ‘professional’ handling of the rioters, noting that they remained calm in the face of provocations.
He directed security agencies to thwart any future attempts at violence at any cost, as well as demonstrations to help protect lives and property, while also noting that officers accused of killings would face legal charges.
No longer GenZ-related, says Kenyans
The CS joins a section of Kenyans opinion leaders who have also taken to social media to condemn the infiltration of the Gen Z protests by goons who are now engaging in wanton destruction of property.
The leaders observed that the demonstrations were largely peaceful in many parts of the country in the early hours of Tuesday, but the unfolding events give a clear indication that elements with criminal intent have hijacked the well-meaning demonstrations.
“Today, government and politicians paid goons to come to Nairobi CBD to loot and destroy people’s property. When Gen Z protestors tried to stop them, the police started throwing teargas at the Gen Z peaceful protestors. Goons enjoy state protection. We have no country here,” politician Alinur Mohamed shared on X.
“What we witnessed today in Mombasa and some parts of our country including Nairobi, Migori, Kisumu and Kisii is no longer Gen Z-related,” Nyali MP Mohammed Ali said.
“Goons infiltrated the planned demonstrations and torched vehicles, robbed innocent women and men while on motorbikes and vandalised businesses which is a clear indication that there are other forces at play that seek to see this country burn and undo over 60 years of development,” he added.