Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga has blamed a section of Nairobi businessmen for reportedly hiring goons to disrupt peaceful protests held on June 17 in honour of deceased teacher Albert Ojwang.
Nyaga said the traders hired the goons who invaded Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) on motorcycles to protect their businesses from being looted by the protesters.
Speaking on Thursday morning during an interview on Citizen TV, the police boss condemned the use of goons during protests, terming such actions unconstitutional and therefore illegal.
According to him, it was the mandate of the National Police Service (NPS) to protect the lives and property of Kenyans during demonstrations.
"Those who labelled themselves as businessmen projected violence and hired people to protect their businesses. They hired young men who were armed with clubs to protect their wealth," Nyaga said.
He added, "That action is illegal because the mandate to protect Kenyans and their property is with the police service, and we are still investigating the matter."
To prevent a repeat of the same, Nyaga revealed that investigations were underway and that the police were in the process of piecing together the events of that day to trace the perpetrators.
Additionally, he noted that a warning had already been issued to businesspeople across Nairobi against any further hiring of goons during protests to protect their wealth.
"There is footage that is still under forensic review, and they are being checked. Once the DCI officers complete the investigations, we will arrest the goons and take them to court," Nyaga assured.
Muchiri Nyaga's clarification comes a fortnight after young men armed with whips and clubs attacked protesters in the Nairobi CBD as they demonstrated against police brutality.
Videos widely shared on the internet showed goons invading the CBD while riding on motorcycles as they shouted pro-government chants.
Nonetheless, a day after the incident, the police service issued a statement dismissing allegations of collaborating with the goons to quell the heated demonstrations.
"NPS has noted a group of goons armed with crude weapons in today's protests within the CBD. The Service takes great exception and does not condone such unlawful groupings," said the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.
"Such individuals will be handled firmly, according to the law. Consequently, investigations have commenced to identify and deal with the criminals accordingly," he added.
