Authorities have arrested 25 individuals in connection with the violent turn of events during Gen Z protests that erupted in Kikuyu and Dagoretti. What began as a peaceful procession quickly degenerated into chaos after groups of rowdy individuals blocked key roads and lit bonfires, prompting a massive police response.
According to a police incident report, the chaos began when unidentified individuals barricaded the Southern Bypass and Old Kikuyu Road using stones and burning vehicle tires. The group, alleged to have been ferried in from Limuru and Kiambu in three lorries, is suspected to have been mobilised specifically to disrupt the anniversary protests.
The situation rapidly escalated, drawing in a crowd of nearly 10,000. Police units from the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations were forced to intervene. However, the officers on the ground were soon overwhelmed, leading to a call for reinforcements from Kiambu County Headquarters.
Clashes between the protestors and law enforcement intensified. Key government facilities including Kikuyu Law Courts, County Government offices, the Dagoretti Police Post, and the Deputy County Commissioner’s office were set ablaze in the chaos.
In a significant security breach, rioters at the Dagoretti Police Post made away with five firearms. The stolen weapons included two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun. A further attempt to seize five additional firearms from the Sub-County APS armoury was thwarted by police.
Tragically, one person lost their life during the confrontations, while five officers sustained injuries. According to the report, the rioters took the deceased’s body to an undisclosed location before abandoning it at the main gate of the Kikuyu Police Station later that evening.
The disorder persisted late into the night. At around 10:00 pm, rioters reportedly advanced toward the Kikuyu Affordable Housing units, damaging property before being repelled by security forces. Four suspects were arrested during this final confrontation.
In total, 25 individuals were taken into custody. Authorities have indicated that investigations are still ongoing to apprehend additional suspects and recover the stolen firearms.
The incident highlights growing concerns over the organisation and coordination of violent elements during protests, as well as the vulnerability of security installations during mass unrest. The police are currently reviewing surveillance footage and pursuing leads to determine the identity of those behind the violence and theft.
