Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has made strong statements regarding recent incidents involving criminal activities during protests. He emphasized the government’s determination to hold accountable those who planned and financed criminal activities that caused harm and instilled fear in the country. Kindiki assured that there would be full accountability, citing evidence linking political operatives from various factions to these incidents.
Regarding the use of police firearms by criminals, Kindiki acknowledged the occurrence and clarified that different crowd control policing techniques were employed based on the situation. He noted the presence of both uniformed and plainclothes officers, asserting that this was not irregular.
Kindiki affirmed the importance of democratic expression while underscoring the government’s commitment to preserving Kenya’s unity. He refrained from commenting on statements made by the President and Deputy President, stating that such matters were beyond his purview.
The Cabinet Secretary also addressed the tragic loss of 25 lives during the protests, stating that each death had been documented, with most attributed to gunshot wounds. He highlighted efforts by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), specifically the Ballistic Acoustics Units of the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, to investigate the source of ammunition used in each fatality and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
These remarks reflect the government’s stance on recent events, emphasizing both accountability for criminal actions and the commitment to democratic principles and national unity amidst challenges.
