NAIROBI, Kenya- In the wake of Tuesday’s demonstrations, which saw widespread property destruction by criminal elements, Kenyan detectives have apprehended suspects engaging in criminal activities under the guise of protesting.
In Nairobi and its environs, 204 suspects were detained, with an additional 35 in the Coastal region, 18 in Nyanza, 11 in the Rift Valley, and four in the Eastern regions.
In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said it had deployed meticulous investigators across the affected regions to track down suspects caught on CCTV cameras and mobile phone recordings committing acts of violent robbery, theft, and property destruction.
A DCI spokesperson stated, “We remind culprits that they shall bear the consequences of their actions individually in the corridors of justice. All investigative processes will conform to the demands of the criminal justice system.”
The DCI is also calling on property and business owners with CCTV cameras that may have captured criminal activities to cooperate with their Imaging and Acoustic Unit detectives.
This cooperation will help retrieve footage critical to the pursuit of justice.
“We appeal to business owners to grant access to our detectives to retrieve relevant footage,” the spokesperson added.
“Those with useful footage on their devices are urged to forward it to any DCI office across the country. Your cooperation is essential in helping fellow Kenyans achieve justice.”
The security forces’ swift action underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order amid ongoing unrest.
The protests, initially sparked by public disapproval of the Finance Bill 2024, have been marred by criminal gangs exploiting the situation to cause chaos.
“Our priority is to restore peace and protect the lives and property of innocent citizens,” the DCI spokesperson affirmed.
“We commend all law enforcement officers for their professionalism and restraint in managing these extremely provocative situations.”
As the investigation continues, the DCI assures the public that planners, executors, and financiers of large-scale arson and violent robberies will be brought to justice.
“The reign of terror against the people of Kenya must end. We are determined to stop criminals aiming to terrorize the public and harm Kenya,” reads a statement by the DCI.
The DCI’s actions reflect a broader effort to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law, even as protests continue to unfold across the nation.
