At least one police officer was killed while 305 were seriously injured as law enforcement officers engaged protestors in running battles during the anti-government demonstrations staged by the Azimio coalition, the Interior Ministry has revealed.
In a statement signed by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, the ministry on Tuesday, July 25 revealed that between Wednesday, July 19 and Friday, July 21.
The Ministry of Interior expressed concerns over the blatant nature at which protestors confronted police officers which culminated in demonstrators burning down nine police stations.
"The National Police Service also lost 158 vehicles which were either burnt down or severely damaged by criminals masquerading as protesters.
"More than 850 shops and other business premises were also broken into and looted while 199 buildings were destroyed and various public utilities worth billions of shillings vandalised," read part of the statement by Dr Omollo.
Similarly, police stations across the country recorded a total of 156 cases of assault and violent robberies which were also reported by either the victims or those close to them.
Dr Omollo also noted that several non-protesting motorists and pedestrians were attacked and their belongings robbed by the rioters who blocked 69 roads during the demonstrations.
"Detectives are also actively investigating reports about civilians carrying firearms and their contribution to the injuries and fatalities recorded during the riots.
"The massive losses mark an irreplaceable toll that underscores the urgency of taking more decisive actions to avert a repeat of the same anywhere in the Republic of Kenya," the statement by PS Omollo read in part.
The ministry, however, claimed that normalcy had been restored and the government's efforts had been redirected to restoring peace and stability through collective efforts.
The principal secretary called upon all law-abiding citizens to uphold the rule of law and air their grievances through legal means.
Dr Omollo urged Kenyans to avoid the ugly scenes which were witnessed in the three days or anti-government demonstrations. He also noted that violent riots had led to disruption of business and public order in many parts of the country.
"The ugly turn of events bore out the delicate balance between the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities and the imperative to prevent the abuse of this right that can jeopardize our country’s national security.
"Further, the riots not only endangered lives and property, but also posed a significant challenge to the fundamental principles of democracy and social cohesion on which our nation is built," Dr Omollo regretted.
