News

Interior CS Kindiki warns of stern action against organisers of violent protests

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, at a past event. (X/Kithure Kindiki)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Tuesday, July 2, 2024

CS Kindiki disclosed that the government was aware of the plans to cause more mayhem on Thursday and Sunday.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has put organisers of violent protests, and robberies on notice, saying they must be brought to justice.

This is after Nairobi and Mombasa on Tuesday witnessed looting, vandalism and destruction of property as youths participated in anti-government protests.

Keep reading

In a statement, CS Kindiki disclosed that the government was aware of the plans to cause more mayhem on Thursday and Sunday.

"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 on Thursday and Sunday this week, and perhaps much more frequently in the future," he said.

The Interior boss, however, vowed to deal with the criminals head-on.

Kindiki assured the public that the planners, executors and financiers of large-scale arson, violent robberies and other felonious crimes will be brought to justice.

"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 claiming to terrorise the public and harm Kenya, notwithstanding attempts to politicise crime," Kindiki added.

Going further, the CS added that the June 25, 2024, protests left a trail of destruction and unprecedented civil unrest in Nairobi and several other towns in the country.

As a result, he said, lives were lost, property worth billions of shillings destroyed or looted, and an attempt was made to burn down Parliament Buildings.

"An unprecedented civil unrest occurred in Nairobi and several other towns in Kenya which led to lives being lost and property worth billions of shillings destroyed or looted, not forgetting there was an attempt to burn down Parliament Buildings," Kindiki said.

The unrest as pointed out by the CS legitimately initiated as the democratic expression of public disapproval of the Finance Bill 2024, led to the termination of the Bill.

However, Kindiki noted that despite the termination of the Bill, the alleged 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 Kenyans.

He revealed that the government was already investigating the matter and those found culpable will be dealt with.

"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," Kindiki affirmed.

In addition, CS Kindiki commended the police for acting professionally and with restraint in the management of extremely provocative situations that arose in the course of the violent riots.

"The Government commends all law enforcement officers who continue to discharge their challenging mandate of preventing crime and protecting the lives and property of the people of Kenya," he said.

However, Kindiki affirmed that claims of instances of unlawful conduct by law enforcement officers will be investigated and appropriate action taken.