The crackdown following the June 25 anti-government protests has intensified, with 142 additional suspects arraigned in various courts across the country, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
In a nationwide operation, 85 suspects were presented before the Thika Law Courts, including 56 from Juja Police Station and 29 from Thika Police Station. Elsewhere, 32 individuals were arraigned in Murang’a, 15 in Ol Kalou, 10 in Kisii, and 9 in Bungoma.
The DCI also confirmed that one suspect in Ruiru appeared virtually before the Ruiru Law Courts, amid ongoing investigations into looting and destruction of property during the protests.
Authorities in Ruiru, Kiambu County, recovered stolen goods believed to have been looted from a Quickmart Supermarket during the demonstrations. The items were found in premises owned by Geoffrey Mbugua, who has since been arrested.
According to police, Mbugua, among the 154 suspects linked to the supermarket looting, was also found in possession of 42 litres of ethanol and counterfeit cigarettes. He is expected to be arraigned shortly.
“The investigation is ongoing, and we are still pursuing other suspects, including those involved in the theft of firearms from Dagoretti Police Station,” said a DCI spokesperson, adding that more arrests are expected in the coming days.
The protests, which erupted on June 25 to mark a symbolic anniversary of national demonstrations against governance failures, were marred by incidents of violence, looting, and vandalism. Authorities have vowed to bring all perpetrators to justice as the country grapples with growing civil unrest.
Written By Rodney Mbua
