Police officers in Kakamega have arrested 63 people, among them are two Members of the County Assembly (MCA) linked to the recent protests witnessed in Ikolomani Sub-County that left four people dead.
Addressing the press in Kakamega on Friday, December 5, Western region police Commander Issa Mohamoud said that those arrested are believed to have planned and orchestrated the chaos against Shanta Gold investors.
The report indicates that the two politicians, alongside the 63 suspects, were arrested on Friday morning and taken to the Kakamega Police Station, where they are currently held in custody awaiting arraignment.
According to the police boss, the two MCAs are alleged to have financed the goons who caused chaos and attacked journalists and police officers during the protests.
"We have today arrested 53 people, and yesterday we arrested ten people, that is a total of 63 people. Among them is a suspect believed to have attacked a female police officer," said Mahamoud.
"We have also arrested two MCAs, they are the ones who were funding the goons, but we are yet to know on whose behalf they were distributing the money," the police boss added.
Mahamoud noted that investigations were still ongoing to establish the prime suspects behind the violence, which left several police officers and journalists injured.
The county police boss further noted a special team of detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters in Nairobi had also been dispatched to help in the investigations.
He further noted that several police officers were receiving treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital after sustaining injuries during the Thursday protests.
Mahamoud noted that the chaos left at least 21 police officers nursing critical injuries and several journalists injured, and their equipment stolen.
Meanwhile, chaos ensued after villagers in Isulu, Ikolomani constituency, began protesting against the intention of Shanta Gold Company to take over their land for gold mining.
Reports indicate that Shanta Gold Company had proposed the relocation of over 800 households after the discovery of gold deposits worth Ksh683 billion.
