Two leaders have been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in Makueni in relation to the protests that took place on June 25.
Nzaui-Kilili-Kalamba Ward MCA Francis Mutuku and former Machakos County Executive Committee member Urbanus Wambua were directed to present themselves at the DCI offices, with authorities considering them as persons of interest in investigations into chaos witnessed in Makueni County during the protests.
"I am making inquiries into an alleged offence of arson and malicious damage to property contrary to section 332/339 (1) of the penal code," the summon reads in part.
"In exercise of powers conferred upon me under section 52(1) of the National Police Service Act, I require you to attend a summon at Makueni Police Station at 10.00 am on July 2.
The DCI further warned the two leaders that failure to honour the summons would provide sufficient grounds for prosecution.
Kenyans.co.ke reached out to Mutuku, who confirmed he had received the summons and was on his way to the DCI office in Makueni.
"Yes, I have received the summons. They are talking about malicious damage to property but I do not know much about that. I'm on my way to the DCI as we speak," Mutuku said
Makueni County was one of the areas where protests on June 25 took a violent turn , with numerous cases of vandalism and running battles between police and protesters.
Among the 16 individuals who were confirmed dead from the protests countrywide, two were from Makueni, with autopsy reports confirming they died from gunshot wounds.
The two leaders' summons came barely a day after authorities went after two youth leaders attached to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens' Party.
The family of Peter Kawanjiru alleged that officers from the Director of Criminal Investigations forcibly took their relative on Monday night, while another youth leader, Wanjiku Thiga, confirmed her arrest on Tuesday, July 1.
As investigations into the June 25 mayhem persist, the DCI confirmed on Monday that 485 individuals had been arrested in connection to the protests. Of this number, 448 had already been charged, while 37 remained under active investigations.
