850 shops looted, 199 buildings broken into during protests’ – Gov’t
The Principal Secretary of Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo says that at least 850 shops were looted and 199 buildings broken into during anti-government protests.
In a statement, Omollo said at least 305 police officers have been injured during clashes with protestors.
"The ugly turn of events bore out the delicate balance between the “right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities” and the imperative to prevent the abuse of this right that can jeopardize our country’s national security," Omollo said.
He said that the National Police Service also lost 158 vehicles and nine police stations, which were either burnt down or severely damaged by criminals masquerading as protesters.
"The new trend of negatively profiling, harassing, and attacking security personnel saw a total of 305 law enforcement officers seriously injured and 1 fatality while executing the cardinal responsibility of protecting lives and property," he added.
Omollo said that a total of 156 cases of assault and violent robberies were also reported while several non-protesting motorists and pedestrians were attacked and robbed of their belongings by the rioters who blocked 69 roads during the demonstrations.
"Detectives are also actively investigating reports about civilians carrying firearms and their contribution to the injuries and fatalities recorded during the riots," Omollo added.
"The massive losses mark an irreplaceable toll that underscores the urgency of taking more decisive actions to avert a repeat of the same anywhere in the Republic of Kenya. Our prime focus is now on restoring peace and stability through collective efforts, and we call upon all law-abiding citizens to uphold the rule of law and air their grievances through legal means."
