Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris slammed Nation Media Group over a video posted on their social media showing police officers allegedly looting laptops during protests in the Central Business District in Nairobi.
Through a statement released on Wednesday, June 18, Passaris asserted that the laptops were being recovered, not looted, by the law enforcement authorities, terming Nation’s video as “misleading.”
Passaris cited a phone call with Nairobi Police Regional Commander George Seda, who clarified that the looted laptops were being recovered and were in one piece under police custody.
“I have just spoken to the Regional Police Commandant in Nairobi, Mr Seda. The laptops looted from the electronics shop were recovered and are now safely in police custody,” Passaris stated.
“Nation Media, your headline saying 'police leave with laptops' is misleading. The right word is 'recovered', not 'leave'”, she added.
In the viral clip, a police officer was seen carrying a couple of laptops towards a police vehicle, where he is assisted to get into the pickup filled with cops. Afterwards, once everyone is settled, the vehicle heads off as protests continue in the CBD.
Goons who infiltrated yesterday’s protests in honour of Albert Ojwang were said to be behind most of the chaos seen yesterday, as they looted shops and stole from Nairobians who were conducting their businesses.
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.
An accusing finger was again pointed at the cops, with opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka claiming the goons were operating with the backing of the authorities.
This is especially after a notable dynamic observed 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.
It took the initiative and effort of citizens and some boda boda riders, who took matters into their own hands by meting out mob justice to some of the goons who were caught engaging in unlawful activities.
The protests were further marred by an incident where a police officer was seen shooting a hawker selling masks during the protests.
In footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the officer and his colleague approach the man at Mondlane Street along Moi Avenue. Instead of passing the man, the police officer and his colleague paused, with one slapping the victim. The other police officer then hit the man with the butt of his gun just moments before the first officer aimed his gun at him and shot him at close range.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja later confirmed the officer was arrested after a massive furore that was sparked by the clip. The police added that the cop will be arraigned in court.
The latest comes amidst plans to have nationwide protests on Wednesday, June 25, in honour of Gen Zs who lost their lives during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests. It remains to be seen whether such chaos and anarchy will be witnessed during the forthcoming protests.
