Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, March 29, noted that protests orchestrated by Azimio la Umoja curtailed the efforts by the police officers to prevent the raid at former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Northlands property.
In a statement, Kindiki affirmed that police officers swiftly acted at former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's East Africa Spectre company where a gang had attempted to raid the premises.
"A smaller gang attempted to storm a business in the Industrial Area of Nairobi which is associated with a former Prime Minister of Kenya, who is the principal leader of the current protests.
"While the quick action of the police and private security guards repulsed the Industrial Area criminals, action to protect the Ruiru property was not as quick owing to operational constraints caused by the protests that were taking place," explained the CS
Kindiki further noted that from the two protests held on Monday, May 20, and May 27, the National Police Service (NPS) deemed the demonstrations to pose a clear, present and imminent danger of a breach of the peace and public order.
"The unfolding situation portends grave danger to the rule of law and the stability of our country. The violence, looting, destruction of public amenities, disruption of daily activities and invasion of private property portend real and imminent danger of our country sliding into irretrievable anarchy. These criminal acts must cease," the statement read in part.
While reading the riot act, Kindiki directed that no more violent protests would be allowed in the country, whether accompanied by notice or not, in a bid to secure and safeguard the properties of all Kenyans.
He added that more security officers would be deployed on all streets, estates and neighbourhoods in Nairobi, Kisumu and other areas where violent protests may erupt.
Kindiki pointed out that two Kenyans had been killed as a result of the protests, while 51 police officers, and 85 civilians were injured.
"While the police have done everything within the law to protect the lives and property of non-protestors and third parties who also have rights just as the protesters do, the now regular protestors continue to engage in seriously violent, chaotic and disorderly conduct endangering or national security," Kindiki noted.
The Interior CS added that those involved in the raid of Kenyatta's Northlands would be brought to book. The CS also increased security guards at the Ruiru-based farm, Raila's gas company and other private properties which were either looted or vandalised.
"The current portrait of anarchy and the unfolding criminal madness must stop. Only firm enforcement of the law stands between us and lawlessness and full-blown chaos. Any aggravation of the prevailing situation would certainly set back the Country. We must halt the descent," he stated.
