DCI recommends charges against 5 politicians accused of funding anti-govt protests

Police have recommended to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) that five politicians be charged for their alleged involvement in the violent anti-government protests that took place on June 25, 2024.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had launched an inquiry following an intelligence report indicating that certain politicians were involved in planning, mobilising, and financing the unrest.

They include MP Benjamin Gathiru Mwangi (Embakasi Central), MP James Mwangi Gakuya (Embakasi North), Former MP George Theuri (Embakasi West), Former Nyeri MP Martin Deric Ngunjiri Wambugu and Pius Munene.

Director of Investigations Abdalla Komesha, in a letter dated September 24, 2024, revealed that the above were implicated in these activities after several meetings at a Nairobi hotel.

According to the letter, the politicians were questioned by the DCI in July and August, which led to the recommendation that some of them face charges.

The charges include soliciting or inciting others to commit offenses, contrary to Section 391 of the Penal Code.

One of the MPs is also set to face further charges related to money laundering.

"Efforts are being made to obtain all financial data from FRC, Safaricom, and banks where financial transactions were carried out,” the DCI said in the statement.

Reviewing case file

The ODPP is currently reviewing the case file and is expected to make a decision soon. June and July saw several counties across Kenya participate in anti-government protests.

Amnesty International and several human rights organisations claimed that 61 people died during the protests.

On June 25, 2024, during the “Occupy Parliament’ protests, the organisations claimed that six people were killed and 72 were either abducted or remain missing as a result of the protest, which was met with harsh police response.

Interior CS nominee Kithure Kindiki had earlier said that the police were also victims of the protests which were rocked by gunshots, deaths injuries and destruction of properties.

Kindiki revealed that at least 164 police and civilian vehicles were destroyed during the protests.

Out of these, 54 were police vehicles, while 110 belonged to civilians.

The former Senator further highlighted that amidst the fracas, 385 police officers sustained injuries as compared to 486 civilians while 1,387 arrests were made.