MERU, Kenya – A new video has surfaced online, casting serious doubt on the official narrative surrounding the burning of Maguna Supermarket during the Saba Saba protests in Meru County, raising questions about the response of police and emergency services.
The supermarket — a key outlet in the Magunas chain — was set ablaze on Sunday, July 7, during widespread anti-government demonstrations.
Initial reports indicated that violent protesters overran police, blocked emergency vehicles, and torched the store in Makutano, Meru Town.
However, fresh footage circulating online appears to tell a different story. In the video, a police lorry full of officers is seen parked just metres from the building as smoke billows from inside. No protesters are visible.
Instead, police officers appear to stand by as the fire grows, with some seen throwing stones in the direction of the flames — an action that has left viewers questioning whether the response was tactical or symbolic.
Police officers are seen in the video hurling stones at the supermarket, shattering its window panes.
The absence of protestors in the video has fueled speculation about the actual cause of the fire and whether law enforcement acted appropriately to prevent the destruction of property.
Here are the perpetrators of the Magunas Supermarket fire. The fire was started at the small makeshift luggage bay but you can see police in uniform breaking glass panes so that the fire could access the main building. Then after they are successful they leave casually.
Fire Response Blocked, Says County
In response to mounting public criticism, Meru County Secretary and Head of Public Service Marius Maranya defended the county’s emergency response, saying the first firefighting vehicle was dispatched within minutes of the fire starting.
However, the vehicle was reportedly blocked by demonstrators near Meru Library.
“I personally contacted the County Commander to offer security for it to access Magunas. Luckily, they managed,” said Maranya, who added that firefighters faced intense hostility, including injuries sustained while scaling the locked building with ladders.
The county eventually sought backup from fire departments in Maua and Tharaka Nithi.
But even these reinforcements struggled to reach the scene due to blocked roads and ongoing unrest, only gaining access after police intervention.
“The intensity of the fire, a locked premise, and the presence of rowdy demonstrators made the operation extremely dangerous,” Maranya said, commending both police and county responders for a “tremendous effort under the circumstances.”
The fire at Magunas Supermarket started at a small luggage bay.But in this video, police officers in uniform are seen breaking glass panes.Why would they do that while a fire is burning nearby?Strangely, after the glass is broken and the fire spreads, they just walk away.
Allegations of Sabotage
Adding a new twist, a senior emergency responder from the region claimed the arson attack was “meticulously planned” to paralyze response efforts.
The officer alleged that the attackers blocked access roads, attacked the fire station, vandalized fire engines, and even cut water pipes to delay containment.
“Some of our firefighters were injured and overwhelmed. We had to wake up shopkeepers late at night to get milk and supplies for our exhausted teams,” the officer wrote. “If not for their bravery, the entire Makutano area could have been reduced to ashes.”
He also called on intelligence agencies to investigate and reveal the masterminds behind the attack.
Official Statement from the County Government of Meru and a comment by an officer in one of the region’s social forums about the sabotage of fire fighting infrastructure and the complexities of the fire fighting exercise at Magunas Supermarket in Makutano, Meru Town yesterday.
Mounting Public Pressure
Despite the defense from authorities, public skepticism remains high. Social media has been flooded with questions about why security officers appeared passive as the supermarket burned, and whether more could have been done to stop the destruction.
Videos from various counties have emerged showing officers either using excessive force or failing to act as looters and vandals destroy public and private property.
Critics argue that the government has repeatedly failed to protect private property during protests — a pattern observed across the country in recent weeks — and that the latest footage underscores a troubling lack of preparedness or political will.
With investigations now underway, Kenyans are calling for accountability and clarity on whether law enforcement failed in its duty — or if a deeper plot underpins the events of that day.
The opposition has accused the government of unleashing state-sponsored militia to destroy in the Mt Kenya region- to justify the use of excessive force against peaceful protestors.
Thank God for CCTV. As I said, Meru is a town with a great sense of community. People’s shock was genuine. For this one case, the fire could have been started using a teargas canister exploded at the makeshift luggage bay. Still, I feel local politicians need to be investigated.
