Chaos ensued at Divisional Police Headquarters in Nyeri as youth who were arrested on Sunday over suspicion of being members outlawed Mungiki Sect began singing traditional songs inside the cells.
In a video circulated online, the suspects sang vernacular proverbs, which were interpreted to agitate for freedom and solidarity.
Other sections of the song also touched on the difficulties they were facing in life.
In the video, the traditional songs attracted the attention of visitors, who were drawn to the suspects' enthusiasm.
On Sunday, December 31, 2023, over 290 suspects were arrested in Nyeri Town and accused of being members of the outlawed Mungiki sect.
Police officers erected security checks on various highways to deter supporters from attending the planned rally organised by controversial politician Maina Njenga.
According to Nyeri County Police Commissioner Pius Murugu, the planned rally had been banned as it was unlawful.
The crackdown on the youth comes in the wake of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's promise to fight against the resurgence of the group.
In the past weeks, he has been adamant that the government would not tolerate the resurgence of the sect.
However, Maina Njenga, a former and reformed leader of the outlawed group, refuted reports of its resurgence and advocated for unity.
"The meeting had been silently called off, and the youths who were arrested had only come to see who was coming to town," Njenga stated, adding that he was ready to meet Gachagua and other Mt Kenya leaders.
Meanwhile, the youth arrested while planning to attend Maina Njenga's meeting were arraigned at the Nyeri Central Police Station on Tuesday, January 2.
