NAIROBI, Kenya – Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri has cautioned Kenyans against hiring youths to “protect” their businesses during public protests, warning that such actions are illegal and will not be tolerated.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Citizen on Monday, Muchiri said only law enforcement officers are mandated to secure businesses and public spaces, stressing that any form of private protection during demonstrations undermines the rule of law.
“Those saying that they are protecting their business should stop. There is no law that gives citizens the right to hire people to protect their businesses,” he said.
Muchiri’s remarks follow a series of chaotic incidents in Nairobi’s Central Business District, where individuals claiming to be safeguarding property were captured on video attacking peaceful protesters and looting shops.
Several of these individuals are believed to have been hired by political operatives under the guise of protecting businesses.
“Any youth being asked to show up in the protests and protect businesses should know that they are breaching the law to the highest degree,” Muchiri warned, adding that police are analyzing CCTV footage and other video evidence to identify suspects.
“After analysing the videos, we have seen that people will start getting arrested. We will go for those who came out to say that they are protecting businesses. Any act that has breached the law shall not happen again.”
The police spokesperson appealed for calm and encouraged peaceful participation in the upcoming nationwide demonstrations scheduled for June 25.
The protests aim to commemorate the victims of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations and demand justice for those allegedly killed by rogue police officers.
Muchiri emphasized that while the Constitution allows for peaceful assembly, public anger should not be used to justify violence or lawlessness.
“It is important to uphold peace and ensure that Kenya remains steadfast. The protests we have had are a lesson to us and we shall use it as a learning curve to inform our conduct in future,” he said.
Acknowledging public criticism of police conduct, Muchiri urged for mutual respect between citizens and law enforcement. “We are also human beings. We urge Kenyans to kindly give our officers the respect they deserve. The unlawful incidents we have witnessed do not represent who we are as the police force.”
Meanwhile, Nairobi Central OCPD Stephen Okal, who met with protest organizers ahead of the June 25 demonstrations, assured that police would be deployed to provide adequate protection and facilitate peaceful protests across the city.
