The police maintained that the arrested individuals are suspected of going on a criminal rampage during the public demonstration against bad governance.
The Kenyan Police authorities have confirmed the arrest of over 270 people over the nationwide protests which took place across the country on Tuesday.
The police maintained that the arrested individuals are suspected of going on a criminal rampage during the public demonstration against bad governance.
“Security forces across the country singled out suspects found engaging in criminal activities in the guise of protesting, and took them to custody,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, late Tuesday.
SHOOTING INCIDENT IN MOMBASA
Following today's 1.30pm unfortunate shooting at Ganjoni area of Mombasa by a civilian firearm holder and the alleged owner of QAFFEE POINT Hotel that left some persons injured, the said shooter has since been arrested, disarmed and placed in… pic.twitter.com/xFnmDAmhki
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 2, 2024
The Individuals whose images/photos appear below are wanted by the police for their unlawful activities during the anti-finance bill 2024 demonstrations. We therefore advise them to report to the nearest police station for further police action.
Information on the whereabouts of… pic.twitter.com/AD0bOh8VAg
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 3, 2024
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 2, 2024
DCI teams have been dispatched to pursue gang members recorded by concerned citizens violently robbing innocent Kenyans on the roads, while taking advantage of the ongoing demonstrations.
Anyone involved in the criminal activities are reminded that it is just a matter of time… pic.twitter.com/3LKxs29t6H
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) July 2, 2024
It said a total of 204 suspects were arrested in the capital Nairobi and another 68 in various other areas of the country.
“The DCI has further deployed scrupulous investigators across the affected regions to pursue suspects captured on CCTV cameras and mobile phone recordings violently robbing, stealing and destroying properties and businesses of innocent citizens,” the statement added.
SaharaReporters had reported how Kenyans in their thousands stormed major streets across multiple regions in the country yesterday.
It was learnt that the nationwide demonstration which fully began on Tuesday was an effort to intensify demands for improved governance.
It all started as anti-finance bill demonstrations last month but now escalated into widespread anti-government protests.
In multiple videos seen on X by SaharaReporters, the protests were later characterised by a series of violence and lootings, with police firing tear gas at rock-throwing crowds in Nairobi and scenes of looting and property damage in the capital and other cities.
The police, in a recent circular posted on X on Wednesday morning, declared forty other people wanted for constituting unrest during the protests.
The post reads: “The Individuals whose images/photos appear below are wanted by the police for their unlawful activities during the anti-finance bill 2024 demonstrations. We therefore advise them to report to the nearest police station for further police action.
“Information on the whereabouts of any of the suspects may be channeled confidentially to the anonymous #FichuakwaDCI Hotline number 0800722203 or the police hotline 999, 911,112.”
The security operatives said further that following Tuesday unfortunate shooting at Ganjoni area of Mombasa by a civilian firearm holder and the alleged owner of QAFFEE POINT Hotel that left some persons injured, the said shooter has since been arrested, disarmed and placed in custody.
The post continued: “The reported two persons who suffered injuries are receiving medical aid, and we pray that they will recuperate fast.
“The DCI thanks members of the public who acted fast to assist the injured to hospital, and at the same time appeals to Mombasa people to be calm on this case as necessary legal action is being taken.”