Interior CS Kindiki condemns Azimio protests says 42 suspects arrested

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki visited the scene of killings that is linked to pastor Paul Mackenzie in Shakahola, Kilifi County on April 25, 2023. [Kevin Macharia/Interior]

Interior CS Kindiki Kithure has condemned the protests led by the Azimio coalition saying that are outlawed.

In a statement, Kindiki said that chaos and acts of violence and arson were carried out by criminals masquerading as political protesters in some parts of Nairobi and Nyanza region.

"While the police have done everything within the law to protect the lives and property rowdy mobs engaged in isolated but violent, chaotic and disorderly conduct endangering national security," Kindiki says.

According to Kindiki, police are investigating an incident where a bus was burnt to ashes along Ngong Road as well as a Kampala bound lorry that was burnt along the Southern By-Pass.

They are also investigating an incident within Eastleigh, where the Shell Petrol station along Juja road, was attacked and robbed of 12 gas cylinders before the mob maliciously damaged fuel pumps and vehicles that were parked at the premises.

On his part, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow said that some police stations in different parts of the country recorded cases of the stoning of vehicles and businesses getting vandalized and looted. Some of these areas are Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori within Nyanza Region adding that some shops were looted.

Kindiki says that Police have determined that the protests pose a clear, present and imminent danger of a breach of the peace and public order.

He defended the response by police saying that they were compelled by their constitutional and legal mandate to prevent the purported demonstrators from unleashing violence and terror on the public.

"The unfolding situation portends grave danger to the rule of law and the stability of our Country. The violence, looting, and destruction of public amenities such as roads coupled with the disruption of daily activities portend real and imminent danger of our Country sliding into irretrievable anarchy," says Kindiki.

"To ensure the Country does not turn into lawlessness, security agencies are fairly instructed to enforce the law firmly and decisively."

According to Gabow, police have since arrested 46 suspects in connection with the acts of violence witnessed in the country and police are still pursuing other suspects.

"Meanwhile, the Director, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and his team are investigating all aspects of law breaking which have been reported with a view of taking appropriate action," says Gabow.

Kindiki said that all those arrested would be arraigned in court on Wednesday.

"No more violent protests shall be allowed anywhere in Kenya. With or without notices, demonstrations and protests of any type which injure people, security officers, businesses and property shall be prevented at all costs," he said.