Police officers in Ongata Rongai, Nakuru, waylaid suspected looters inside a supermarket on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
The suspected looters were caught and compelled to lie flat inside the supermarket after the police conducted a successful raid.
“This supermarket pays a lot of people and you want to steal here. Why are you doing that,” one of the officers holding them questioned.
The group of about seven suspected looters remained silent as police officers kept surveillance to apprehend others involved in the mass destruction of property.
Protests in Ongata Rongai
The group was caught red-handed as other law enforcement officers engaged with protesters in a running battle.
Several reports indicate that protests commenced about mid-day and escalated throughout the better part of the day.
A contingent of police officers was also recorded trying to maintain order while repulsing the protesters.
The protests kicked off despite calls by various leaders for the youth to call off the demonstrations. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua led the calls by pleading with Gen Z to give dialogue a chance and call off protests.
“Please I beseech you as you father please my sons and daughter make an announcement and call off the protest,” he said.
“My children are of the same Gen Z. No parent should have to bury their child, especially in such circumstances. I cry for our children; I am unable to bear the pain of innocent young children whose only crime was to air their views in a democratic country.”
President William Ruto also vowed to engage the youth after refusing to sign the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
Fresh protests
However, protesters gathered in various parts of the country calling for more accountability from Ruto’s government.
In Nairobi, the police were forced to use teargas to disperse a group which wanted to continue with protests. Officers from the Kenya Defence Forces were also deployed in various parts of the city despite a number of lawmakers faulting the move terming it unprocedural.
The Law Society of Kenya and Azimio la Umoja filed petitions to stop their deployment to help police deal with protesters.
Other areas where protests were witnessed include Mombasa, Kisumu and Migori.
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