72 arrested over violence and looting in Eldoret during Gen Z protests

A police officer inspects an ambulance damaged during the Gen Z protests in Eldoret on June 25. /MATHEWS NDANYI

Police in Eldoret have arrested 72 suspects in connection with violence and looting that occurred during the Gen Z protests on Wednesday.

Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi confirmed that one person died in the city, while an unknown number of people were injured.

He said a police lorry and an ambulance were damaged during the unrest, which also saw several shops, including a supermarket, looted.

“The violence was especially intense in areas along the Eldoret–Bungoma road, where incidents continued until as late as midnight on Wednesday,” Mwanthi said.

He reported that the deceased was killed by irate members of the public who cornered him in the Eastleigh area on suspicion of being a thief.

The victim later succumbed to his injuries at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Mwanthi noted that among those arrested were five suspects accused of setting a police lorry ablaze in the Huruma area along the Eldoret–Webuye highway.

He said most of the suspects were found engaging in criminal activities.

Police indicated that some of the suspects had broken into Khetia’s Supermarket, where they were caught looting.

“Some of them had broken into Khetia’s Supermarket and were found looting, while others were arrested for stealing from members of the public,” the commander said.

He stated that the suspects will be arraigned in court and charged with various offences upon completion of investigations.

“Initially, we had not received reports of planned demonstrations in the city, but the youth suddenly emerged and took to the streets,” Mwanthi added.

He emphasised that those found to have broken the law will face the consequences.

Meanwhile, religious leaders from the North Rift have urged the government to form a dialogue committee to reconcile Gen Z with the state as soon as possible.

The clergymen have called for dialogue to end the destructive protests and violence in the country.