The government has exonerated itself from blame over the slow police response to Monday's invasion of the Kenyatta family farm in Ruiru.
In a statement on Wednesday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the availability of security personnel was constrained by virtue of the mass protests that were taking place in other parts of the city.
"While the quick action of the police and private security guards repulsed the Industrial Area criminals, action to protect the Ruiru property was not as quick owing to operational constraints caused by the protests that were taking place," Kindiki said.
Intruders on Monday invaded the Northlands City and vandalised the farm, stole livestock, set fires and attempted to construct makeshift houses ostensibly to occupy the land.
There were no police officers in sight during the entire period of lawlessness which lasted several hours. Police were deployed the following day.
Kindiki said the National Police Service rightfully and lawfully determined that the protests posed a more immediate danger of breach of peace than the invasion.
The CS said the police rescinded the legal obligation for the organisers of the protests to assist the police in the maintenance of peace and order as provided by the Public Order Act.
"Similarly, the organisers refused and/or failed to discharge their duty under the same Act to specify the sites and routes of meetings or processions during the protects," he said.
Kindiki further defended police's decision to disperse nonviolent protesters saying this was for the safety of both the protesters and the affected non protesters and third parties.
The CS condemned the violence, looting, destruction of property and disruption of daily activities saying they portend grave danger to the rule of law and the stability of the country.
He said the activities run the risk of driving the country into irretrievable anarchy.
"The current portrait of anarchy, and the unfolding criminal madness must stop. Only firm enforcement of the law stands between us and lawlessness and full-blown chaos," Kindiki said.
