The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested three individuals suspected of mobilising goons during the June 25 protests.
According to a DCI statement released on Friday, June 27, the arrests were the culmination of an intensive intelligence-led operation. This crackdown comes amid heightened scrutiny over the protests' planning and execution.
Detectives accuse the trio of coordinating social media channels and posts that allegedly incited violence, widespread theft, and extensive property destruction during the demonstrations.
"In an intelligence-led operation conducted on Friday, June 27, DCI detectives intercepted and arrested three ill-reputed campaigners who, through coordinated channels and social media posts, incited goons to violence, massive theft, and destruction of property," the statement reads in part.
"Thus propagating a narrative that undermined national stability and the constitutionally protected right to peaceably assemble and picket."
The investigating unit added that the suspects were flushed from a Mombasa-bound bus at the Konza City section after an in-depth forensic investigation.
The DCI noted that the group had planned to hide at a location in coastal region but were arrested before they could flee.
In the statement, DCI condemned the trio for their deliberate attempt to stir up violence that resulted in looting and injuries.
They stressed the group's actions distorted the peaceful intentions of legitimate protesters.
"The DCI condemns the actions of the three mobilizers, which reflected deliberate intention to cause violence that saw businesses looted and persons injured, a subversive action that contradicts the logic and intentions of the general public to exercise a protected right," DCI added.
The detectives said that the suspects will be arraigned on Monday adding that "several charges including malicious damage to property, arson, stealing and incitement to violence and disobedience of the law may be preferred."
This comes hours after the DCI arrested 24 suspects in connection with the torching of the Kikuyu Law Courts, Kikuyu Sub-County offices, and other government facilities during the Wednesday protests.
