24 SUSPECTS ARRAIGNED FOR VANDALISM AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY DURING PROTESTS

Police in Kikuyu, Kiambu County have arrested seven more suspects and recovered several weapons and stolen items linked to the June 25 protests. Among the recovered items are an AK-47 rifle, an anti-riot gun, and various pieces of police equipment. Kiambu County Police Commander Dorris Kemey stated that these firearms were part of the four that went missing after protestors vandalized the Dagoretti Police Station. Two of the stolen weapons have been retrieved while a search is ongoing to locate the remaining firearms and ammunition believed to be at large. Authorities say the suspects currently in custody are cooperating with investigations as the recovery operation continues. This latest arrests brings the total number of suspects detained in Kikuyu to 31 in connection with the protests.

On Friday, 24 individuals were arrested after demonstrators set to fire public offices, including the Kikuyu Law Courts and the Sub-County offices, and destroyed government vehicles. They were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ruiru, following violent demonstrations. These 24 suspects will remain in custody for 14 days as police continue to investigate the violent events that unfolded in the town on June 25. According to a statement from the DCI, the protests escalated into violence, resulting in the torching of government buildings and several vehicles including tractors and tuk-tuks.

Two steel windows, a steel door, and a water tank believed to have been looted from the county government’s physical planning offices were later recovered in a bush within the Mai-ii-hii and Kabete areas. The National Police Service has urged the public to exercise restraint during protests and warned that any acts of violence or destruction of property will face severe legal consequences.