The highly publicized Gen Z protests that swept across Nairobi on June 25 continue to reverberate, now drawing attention to the curious case of Police Constable Dennis Munyao, affectionately known as "Afande Denno." Munyao, who gained public recognition through his online presence, has broken his silence following his apprehension during the demonstrations, offering a firsthand account of his bewildering experience in police custody.
In a revelation that raises pertinent questions about individual freedoms, even for uniformed officers, Munyao stated emphatically that during his detention at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters, he was never formally informed of any specific offence he was suspected of committing. Instead, the focus of his interrogators was singular and repeated: "Why had he, a police officer, attended the protests?" Munyao's consistent response was that he was off duty at the time of the demonstrations.
The events leading to Munyao’s detention unfolded on the night of June 27. According to his account, he was reportedly apprehended by plainclothes officers in Pangani, Nairobi. The scene quickly escalated as he was put into an unmarked vehicle and driven directly to the DCI headquarters.
During the journey, Munyao alleges a disturbing incident where he was physically restrained by one officer. This officer, he claims, accused him directly of "tarnishing the image of the police" – a strong implication that his presence, perceived as supportive of the protestors, was viewed as an act of disloyalty or defiance.
Upon arrival at the DCI headquarters, Munyao was held for approximately 45 minutes. The questioning, as he described it, did not delve into specific criminal charges. Instead, the interrogators focused intently on understanding his motives for attending the June 25 protests. They pressed him on when and where he had filmed the demonstrations, whether he had witnessed any instances of looting, and, notably, about his political associations. The absence of formal charges throughout this questioning period raises flags about the procedural fairness of his detention.
Despite the alarming nature of his apprehension and the lack of a clear charge, Munyao stated that he was treated with professionalism while providing his formal statement to the DCI. However, his personal phone was confiscated for "forensic examination," a move that is standard in investigations but, in this context, adds another layer to the scrutiny he faces.
Munyao was instructed to return to the DCI headquarters to retrieve his phone on Wednesday, July 2. This ongoing situation leaves him in a precarious position, with questions lingering about the true intent behind his arrest.
Afande Denno's case inadvertently opens a broader conversation about the rights of uniformed officers when they are off duty. Should a police officer, even when not actively on duty, be restricted from participating in public demonstrations as private citizens? This incident highlights the tension between an individual's constitutional freedoms and the professional expectations placed upon those in law enforcement.
