Tension gripped the Ruiru Law Courts on Friday after armed police officers dramatically re-arrested DCP Kiambu youth leader Peter Kinyanjui, popularly known as Kawanjiru, shortly after his release. The youth leader, who has been under investigation in connection with the violent events of the June 25 Gen Z protests, had just exited the courtroom when chaos erupted.
Videos circulating online show armed officers demanding access to the court premises before storming in and grabbing Kinyanjui. Screams filled the air as relatives and supporters tried to intervene, prompting officers stationed outside to fire warning shots into the sky. In the confusion, Kinyanjui was bundled into a waiting police van and quickly driven away.
The incident sparked further unrest at the Kiambu Police Station, where a similar drama unfolded involving another DCP youth leader, Wanjiku Thiga. Released earlier on a Sh50,000 bond, Wanjiku’s freedom was short-lived after her re-arrest at the station sparked a confrontation between police and protesting youth.
Crowds gathered outside the station chanting, “Tunataka Wanjiku, Wanjiku, Wanjiku – ako wapi?” while heavily armed police maintained a stony silence.
The back-to-back re-arrests have intensified concerns about a mounting government crackdown on youth leaders perceived to be at the forefront of the Gen Z-led protests. Civil rights groups and political observers say the arrests may be part of a broader strategy to stifle dissent ahead of the Saba Saba demonstrations scheduled for July 7.
Saba Saba, commemorated annually on July 7, marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s democratic journey. Originating in 1990 as a call for multiparty democracy, it has evolved into a powerful symbol for civil resistance against state repression.
Despite the National Police Service insisting that no protest has been formally filed, signals from civil society and youth activists indicate that preparations for mass action are underway.
As the country braces for Saba Saba, the forceful re-arrests have set a chilling tone for what many fear could be a repeat of past confrontations between police and demonstrators.
