Over 225 protesters arrested during fuel demos -Nairobi police commander confirms

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has announced that 225 people have been arrested so far in the ongoing fuel price hike protests.

Addressing the press on Monday, Commander Mohamud said that the protesters who took to the streets were not pursuing their grievances under the law, prompting their arrests.

“We will charge them with very serious charges and they must face the full consequence of the law,” he said.

He added that five police vehicles have been vandalised as protestors smashed their windscreens as well as another car owned by a civilian.

Likewise he said 6 police officers have also been injured during the running battles with protesters.

Mohamud, however, cautioned protesters not to be coerced into engaging in violence, urging them to present their grievances in a lawful procedure.

“I call upon the public that they should not be allowed to be used by criminal elements or political actors,” he said.

“Any attempt to block roads, disrupt business, or engage in violence will not lower the prices of fuel but will instead harm the economy, endanger lives, and that will attract the full force of the law.”

He warned that anyone found disrupting peaceful operations in Nairobi will not be spared by officers.

“Nairobi will not be held hostage by lawlessness, and we will not allow criminals to hijack public spaces or destroy property,” he said.

He also denied the death of any protester during the protests; however, some deaths have been reported in various places across the nation.

Vexed Kenyans took to the streets demanding an immediate reduction of fuel prices that paralysed business operations across the nation.

Public transport operators have vowed to keep their vehicles off the roads until their demands have been met.