The National Police Service (NPS) has called on shop owners within Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) whose premises were broken into and laptops stolen to visit the Central Police Station.
In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga stated that four laptops were found by police officers during yesterday's protests in Nairobi.
Muchiri revealed that the laptops were recovered following the arrest of a suspect who is allegedly linked to a gang of criminals accused of stealing from shop owners during the protests.
"NPS wishes to clarify that following recent protests in Nairobi, several shops were broken into and various items were stolen. Police officers arrested one suspect and recovered four laptops, which are now in safe custody," he revealed.
"We therefore urge anyone whose premises were broken into and had laptops stolen to visit the station to identify the recovered items," Muchiri added.
According to the police boss, the police have since launched investigations to identify and arrest those involved in criminal activities during yesterday's protests.
The police were forced to address the matter after a video depicting a police officer holding laptops during yesterday's demonstrations went viral on social media.
In the footage, the officer was captured rushing towards a police van, which was on standby. He then handed them over to another officer who was waiting inside the vehicle.
The police car, which had other officers inside, sped off, prompting a series of mixed reactions from Kenyans, with some questioning where they were taking the devices.
The recovery of the laptops from thieves was part of a series of events witnessed during yesterday's protests. The most notable and tragic incident was the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a face mask vendor who was gunned down along Moi Avenue.
However, the police service on Tuesday evening issued a statement, stating that the rogue officer who shot Kairuki in the neck had been arrested.
In its press statement, NPS also distanced itself from a group of goons who were spotted armed with crude weapons loitering within the CBD. "The Service takes great exception and does not condone such unlawful groupings," Muchiri Nyaga said.
