By Caren Jeptoo
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Kenya has launched a comprehensive investigation into the criminal activities that marred recent nationwide protests against the 2024/2025 Finance Bill.
During nationwide peaceful protests organized by Kenyan youths (Gen Z) against the proposed 2024/2025 Finance Bill, criminal groups exploited the situation to cause harm and economic disruption.
These bad actors, posing as genuine protestors, strategically targeted various business premises, including boutiques, electronic shops, and supermarkets.
They orchestrated break-ins and looted these establishments, severely impacting innocent business owners who lost their means of livelihood.
This brazen criminality not only compromised the peaceful nature of the protests but also worked against the fundamental right to peaceful assembly.
The DCI, recognizing its mandate to uphold law and order, has mobilized its Imaging and Acoustic Unit at the National Forensic Laboratory to retrieve and analyze numerous CCTV footage.
These recordings have captured identifiable individuals involved in the looting, isolating them from the vast majority who adhered to peaceful protest. As a result of these investigations, several suspects have already been apprehended and arraigned in various courts.
However, the DCI acknowledges that more culprits are still at large, posing a continued threat to public safety and property.
The agency is determined to bring all perpetrators to justice, ensuring that they do not exploit future opportunities to inflict further damage or endanger lives.
The DCI has called on the public to assist in identifying and reporting these criminals.
By working together, the DCI and the community can ensure that those responsible for these reprehensible acts are held accountable, safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of all Kenyans.