Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, July 12, warned Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga that the government will spare no effort to bring to book the organisers of Wednesday's protests and Kenyans involved in damaging infrastructure and property.
In a statement that was first published by Gerald Bitok, the Director of Public Communication at State House, Kindiki noted that many lives were destroyed during the protest as a result of unwarranted violence .
The statement also claimed that an unnamed number of law enforcement officers and civilians were injured in the process, noting that investigations were underway to nab the sponsors of the protests.
"This culture of impunity will stop. All those who took part, directly or indirectly, in today's well-orchestrated violation of public safety and security of our nation shall be punished," read part of the statement published by Bitok on behalf of CS Kindiki.
It was also stated that the government had organised a team of officers who would ensure that the matter at hand was investigated and brought to a logical conclusion.
"The Government has tonight mobilized all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country's criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders," Kindiki stated in the statement.
According to the statement, the government was yet to establish the degree and extent to which property was destroyed during the violent demonstrations which took place across the country.
However, the statement noted that there was no doubt about the wanton destruction of property and subsequent degradation of the economy through financial losses.
"In a most characteristic manner, the architect of today's lawlessness and impunity, together with his co-conspirators have once again overseen a day of shameless and unprovoked looting of private premises, illegal obstruction of economic activities, and extensive damage of major public assets and infrastructure built on the sweat of the taxes of the people of Kenya," the statement read in parts.
The Cabinet Secretary also accused the Azimio la Umoja leader of lying to the police about their intention to hold a peaceful rally in Nairobi only for the planned demonstrations to turn violent.
"They lied to the Police that they would be holding a peaceful political rally at the Kamukunji grounds, only for them to unleash terror on innocent Kenyans, as a result of which lives have been lost, scores of law enforcement officers and civilians have been grievously injured and unimaginable loss to the Country's economy have been occasioned," the statement read in parts.
While addressing the media on Wednesday, July 12, in Nairobi, Raila stated that the protests will continue unabated until when the cost of living shall have come down and other conditions are met by President Ruto's regime.
"Where we have reached, it's only good to note that there is no going back. We will continue to exercise our constitutional rights until when our demands shall have been met.
Scores of protesters, he lamented, were arrested for participating in an exercise enshrined in the constitution, warning that the country was slowly degenerating into a police state.
"We must not allow it to happen to our country again. We have always said that these meetings remain peaceful until police decide to break them up with bullets and teargas," Raila claimed.
