11 dead, 567 arrested during Saba Saba protests, police confirm

11 dead, 567 arrested during Saba Saba protests, police confirm

In a statement issued on Monday, NPS stated that the protests had left 11 people dead, 52 police officers and 11 civilians injured and at least 19 vehicles, including police, government, and civilian units, damaged.

A total of 567 people were arrested during Monday's Saba Saba protests, the National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed.

In a statement issued on Monday, the NPS stated that the protests left 11 people dead, 52 police officers and 11 civilians injured and at least 19 vehicles, including police, government, and civilian units, damaged.

"NPS commends the majority of Kenyans for being law-abiding and heeding the call to maintain law and order. However, certain individuals remained determined to engage in acts of lawlessness that involved multiple criminal acts, including attacks on law enforcement officers and looting," said NPS.

"Regrettably, preliminary reports indicate fatalities, injuries, damage to motor vehicles, and several incidents of looting."

According to police, one of the most notable arrests was that of Manyatta MP, Gitonga Mukunji, who was reportedly detained in Mang'u. "Each reported incident will be subject to further investigation, per the law," NPS said.

Despite what it described as "sustained violence and provocation," the NPS commended its officers for showing "exceptional restraint and professionalism" during the Saba Saba protests.

The police further encouraged the public to report any individuals involved in criminal activities during the protests who may still be at large.

"The NPS also commends its officers for demonstrating exceptional restraint and professionalism in the face of sustained violence and provocation by criminals who infiltrated the protests and encourages anyone with information about individuals involved in criminal activities who are still at large to come forward and share that information to report to the nearest police station or contact us via our toll-free numbers."

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday evening defended the stringent security measures implemented during the Saba Saba Day protests, stating they were essential in preventing looting and property destruction.

While acknowledging that the restrictions caused inconvenience to many Kenyans, CS Murkomen maintained that limiting access to Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) was a deliberate move aimed at protecting businesses and public assets from criminal groups that often infiltrate the demonstrations.

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