Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has pointed an accusing finger at several oversight bodies, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), following a wave of protests that turned violent on Tuesday, June 17.
In a statement, Kalonzo accused IPOA, the National Police Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of completely failing to perform their duties, as he alleged the chaos witnessed on Tuesday was state-sponsored.
"We are witnessing a clear dereliction of duty on the part of the National Police Service, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)," the Wiper Party leader said in his statement.
For the better part of Tuesday, tensions ran high in the Nairobi CBD as suspected goons attacked protesters who were demanding justice for slain blogger Albert Ojwang.
Armed with crude weapons, including knives and clubs, they went after protestors and other civilians in the CBD, snatching handbags, phones and any other valuables they could get hold of.
Kalonzo, who has emerged as one of the fiercest critics of the Kenya Kwanza regime, condemned the violence, alleging that the goons in the CBD were there on orders from someone in government.
He added, "The Kenya Kwanza disastrous regime has absolutely failed Kenyans. Under Ruto's orders, goons on motorbikes supported by the police attempted to disrupt peaceful demonstrations today by terrorising innocent children and people expressing their fundamental rights to demonstrate and picket, as provided under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.''
With the protests threatening to turn violent, civilians caught in the crossfire were robbed of their valuables by armed goons in unfortunate scenes
One notable dynamic during the protests was the fact that police exercised restraint against the armed individuals, leading to questions of whether the two factions were in collusion against protesters.
Vocal activist Hanifa Adan, who was also in the CBD on Tuesday, alleged she was attacked by a police officer who proceeded to snatch her phone.
While she recovered her phone, Hanifa also pointed an accusing finger at the authorities, claiming they were enabling the goons to wreak havoc during the protests.
In one clip obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, one of the goons is heard explaining the infiltration of the CBD, lamenting that they were tired of the ongoing protests.
The Kenya Red Cross has since confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that several people were injured during the demonstrations, adding that a team was on the ground to assist those hurt in the clashes.
