How cops at DCI headquarters stopped more anarchy in city centre

The city could have been overrun to the ground, officials say.

Authorities are commending detectives at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for stopping what they termed as anarchy during the protests.

Also being commended are teams in Juja, Ruiru, Githurai and the General Service Unit headquarters.

They managed to stop crowds that had originated as far as Thika Town, aiming to arrive in Nairobi.

Their destination was either City Hall, Parliament or at least State House, oblivious of the dangers that lay in waiting.

As teams of police were fighting to contain the protesters that had managed to arrive in the Central Business District, larger crowds were battling with teams along Kiambu Road and the entire Thika Road.

“Had they breached the police cordons and arrived in the city centre, we would not have a town or anything to talk about now. Police were also restrained and ordered not to use live bullets,” said an official aware of the issue.

On Kiambu Road alone, the crowd had breached two police barricades at the Northern Bypass and AAR Hospital area.

Their aim was the Nairobi city centre.

After learning the crowd had breached the two barricades, authorities at the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road ordered almost 100 cops to dash for their weapons and stop them at all costs.

In the meantime, a water cannon was summoned from GSU headquarters.

When the crowd arrived outside the DCI headquarters, Mazingira Complex, they confronted a heavily armed team that shot into the air to disperse them.

Instead of escaping, they seemed more organised. They sat on the road and waited for an order to surge forward.

The standoff lasted almost 30 minutes. It took the arrival of the water cannon to disperse the crowd that officials put at about 3,000.

They were driven away to the Thindigwa area. While on the way, many were injured and robbed.

In the meantime, other teams were fighting crowds on the larger Thika Road. From Waitithie, Juja, Ruiru, Githurai and Alsops area, the scenes were similar as cops fought to contain the situation.

In the end, properties valued at millions of shillings were lost.

Officials said more than ten people were killed and 400 were injured in the protests.

The protests were called to commemorate the 2024 Finance Bill protests in which more than 60 people were killed.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said a number of injuries among police officers were also documented.

There were at least 61 suspected protestors arrested across the country. Further, there was infiltration of demonstrations by goons. This led to the looting of property in many places.

The government banned live TV and radio coverage of the protests, but its decree was overturned by the High Court in Nairobi.

President William Ruto urged protesters not to threaten peace and stability, as some in the crowds tried to reach his official residence but were pushed back by police.

"Protests should not be to destroy peace in Kenya. We do not have another country to go to when things go wrong. It is our responsibility to keep our country safe," he said.

The president was speaking at a burial ceremony in the coastal county of Kilifi.

His absence from the State House, his official residence, was notable as young protesters threatened to storm it. They were stopped and dispersed outside the State House Girls.

The protests were held in 24 countries and later turned chaotic. Properties were looted, and otherswere  destroyed.

Many roads were blocked for hours as groups flocked there to air their anger and frustration against the government.

IPOA said they deployed officers to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Situation Room to strengthen bilateral collaboration between the two institutions in monitoring interventions.

So far, the Authority has recorded: IPOA said there was extensive damage to private and public property, and the monitoring team documented the use of excessive and varied force by police officers, including live ammunition, tear gas, water cannons, whips, and batons, among other measures.

“Police officers concealed their identities contrary to the law. Interruption of free movement and normal public service operations, including public transport, policing services, and commercial activities,” IPOA said in a statement.

Consequently, IPOA has taken up preliminary enquiries into the various concern areas and will expedite investigations into cases where excessive force was documented during the public order management of the protests.

Separately, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)  recorded 8 fatalities during the demonstrations that marked the first anniversary of anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.

KNCHR Vice Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris, revealed that the deaths resulted from six different Counties: Machakos (2), Makueni (2), Nakuru (1), Kiambu (1), Uasin Gishu (1) and Nyandarua (1).

KNCHR also reported over 400 casualties, including protesters, police officers and journalists.

Out of this, the majority have been treated and discharged, with 83 being referred for specialised treatment.

Further, 61 individuals were detained at different police stations countrywide, most of them in Nairobi County. Owing to the chaos experienced in the protests, KNCHR received information of criminal elements that infiltrated the demonstrations.

"The Commission received information of infiltration of the demonstrations by Criminal Elements and Destruction of Property. Credible reports of “hired goons” infiltrating protests in Eldoret, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nyeri, Kajiado and Kisumu," the statement read in part.

"These groups have engaged in violence, looting and property destruction." In addition, the Commission condemned the directive by the Communications Authority of Kenya for all media houses to stop live broadcasts of the protests, citing that it violated the public's right to access information.

"The Commission will continue to monitor the situation and provide timely updates on the promotion and protection of Human Rights in the country during this period," said the Commission.