Embu: DCI Arrests 6 Suspects Over June 25 Looting, Recovers Stolen Goods from Their Homes

• Six suspects believed to have taken advantage of the chaos were tracked down, with key evidence recovered from their homes
• Authorities confirmed that all six are in custody and will be arraigned at the Embu Law Courts on Monday, June 30
• The nationwide crackdown targets criminals who exploited the demonstrations to commit crimes under the cover of unrest

Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

The June 25 demonstrations took a chaotic turn across the country as police deployed tear gas to disperse protesters.

The protests, largely led by Gen Z demonstrators, erupted across major towns as citizens took part to demand justice for protesters killed during the 2024 anti-bill demos.

Amid the unrest, several individuals turned rogue, looting shops and setting government facilities ablaze.

Prior to the protests, the National Police Service called on the public to remain calm and avoid engaging in destructive acts during protests, warning that any such behaviour would attract the full force of the law.

Read also

Nairobi: DCI arrests 3 suspects for allegedly inciting violence during Gen Z protests

In the aftermath, authorities launched a nationwide crackdown targeting criminals who exploited the demonstrations to commit crimes under the cover of unrest. Some of the suspects were caught on video and CCTV footage.

In Embu, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives have arrested six individuals suspected of taking advantage of the chaos during the protests to loot and vandalise private property.

Which items did DCI recover from 6 suspects?

The targeted operations led to the arrest of six suspects, including Peter Mugane Kuria (22), Ian Macharia Wangare (19), Joseph Musila Mugo (45)—found with a stolen washing machine, and Maxwell Wafula Ongae (28)—linked to assorted retail items stolen from a shop.

Others included Jackson Njagi (29)—found in possession of bottles of stolen whisky and a coil of steel wire, and Brian Mbuvi (26)—ambushed at Downtown Guest House with various stolen items, including two desktop computers, a television set, three pairs of boots, several wristwatches, jackets, new jeans, and extension cables.

Read also

June 25 protests: Suspects accused of burning court, vandalising government vehicles arraigned

The suspects are believed to have looted businesses during the protest-related unrest.

Authorities confirmed that all six are in custody and will be arraigned at the Embu Law Courts on Monday, June 30.

Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and continue sharing information on individuals involved in post-protest criminal activity.

The Embu arrests come as part of a wider government directive to restore law and order following the countrywide demonstrations that left several dead, dozens injured, and millions worth of property destroyed or stolen.

Suspects who torched Kikuyu Law Courts arraigned

Meanwhile, in Kikuyu, chaos erupted as protesters set fire to the Kikuyu Law Courts, sub-county offices, and several government-owned assets, including vehicles, tuk-tuks, and tractors.

In response, the DCI arrested 25 suspects linked to the violence.

The suspects were arraigned, and detectives secured a 14-day custodial order to hold them as investigations continue.

Authorities also recovered stolen property, including two steel windows, a steel door, and a water tank, which were found abandoned in a bushy area between Mai-ii-hii and Kabete.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke