The echoes of the June 25 anniversary protests continue to resonate across Kenya, with new details emerging from Kikuyu, Kiambu County, painting a stark picture of orchestrated chaos and intense confrontation. While the nation grapples with the broader implications of these demonstrations, a police report obtained by Citizen Digital sheds critical light on the events in Kikuyu, revealing a disturbing narrative that led to widespread destruction, stolen firearms, and tragic casualties.
According to the official police account, what began as a planned peaceful procession in Kikuyu swiftly devolved into anarchy. The report indicates that a group of "goons" systematically barricaded key arteries, including the Southern Bypass and the Old Kikuyu Road, using stones and setting menacing bonfires with old vehicle tires. Alarmingly, police claim this disruptive element was not organic; rather, the group was allegedly hired from Limuru and Kiambu Counties and strategically transported to Kikuyu using three lorries, suggesting a pre-meditated orchestration of unrest.
The initial engagement between law enforcement and the burgeoning crowd quickly escalated. The police report states that the number of rioters swelled to approximately 10,000, overwhelming the local Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) units. Overpowered, the Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC) was forced to urgently request reinforcements from the Kiambu County Headquarters.
The situation spiraled into a violent 30-minute running battle. By the time the reinforcement team, led by APS County Commander Ismael Ahmed, arrived with National Police Service (NPS) and Prison officers from Kiambu and Murang'a Counties, significant damage had already been inflicted. The Kikuyu Law Courts, County Government offices, Dagoretti Police Post, and the Deputy County Commissioner's (DCC) office had all been tragically torched, stark symbols of the anarchy that had gripped the town.
Even more alarmingly, the police post at Dagoretti suffered a brazen theft of firearms. Rioters managed to seize five weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun, marking a dangerous escalation of the violence. While authorities successfully foiled an attempt to seize five more firearms from the Sub-County APS armory, the melee resulted in one fatality among the rioters and five police officers sustaining injuries. In a macabre turn, the rioters reportedly took the body of the fatally injured individual to an unknown location, only to abandon it later at the Kikuyu Police Station's main gate.
The confrontation endured until 10:00 pm, when the rioters advanced towards the Kikuyu Affordable Housing units, commencing vandalism of the property. Police officers swiftly responded, leading to the immediate arrest of four suspects at that scene. In total, authorities have apprehended 25 individuals allegedly involved in the Kikuyu chaos. Investigations remain ongoing, with police committed to identifying and apprehending other perpetrators responsible for the extensive damage and violence witnessed during the protests. The events in Kikuyu highlight the severe challenges faced by law enforcement in managing large-scale demonstrations, particularly when confronted with elements allegedly organized for destruction.
