The recent Saba Saba Day demonstrations, intended as a peaceful expression of civic rights across Kenya, tragically devolved into violence and destruction. The National Police Service (NPS) has since revealed that criminal gangs infiltrated the protests with the sole intent of causing chaos, resulting in at least 11 fatalities and widespread damage.
According to Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, while the majority of Kenyans observed the demonstrations lawfully, a small but dangerous faction exploited the occasion to engage in looting, assaults on officers, and other criminal acts. Preliminary investigations paint a grim picture of calculated anarchy aimed at destabilizing public order.
The aftermath of the protests saw 52 police officers and 11 civilians injured, with multiple vehicles, 12 police, 3 government, and 4 private, vandalized or destroyed. Authorities swiftly responded, arresting 567 suspects nationwide, including Manyatta Constituency Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji. Nyaga emphasized that those involved in orchestrating the unrest would face the full weight of the law.
Despite the chaos, the NPS lauded the resilience and professionalism of its officers, who exercised exceptional restraint amid sustained violence and provocation. The police are now calling on the public to assist in identifying criminals who remain at large, encouraging anyone with relevant information to report promptly to local stations or through toll-free numbers 999, 911, or 112.
This disturbing turn of events serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between civic freedoms and public safety. While Kenyans continue to exercise their democratic rights, the intrusion of criminal elements threatens to undermine the very foundation of peaceful assembly. The NPS’s commitment to swift justice signals a resolve to safeguard future demonstrations from similar disruptions.
