A police car was burnt, several others vandalised while 20 police officers were injured on Tuesday, June 25 as anti-Finance Bill protests turned violent in Kiambu County’s Githurai 45 area.
Githurai 45 OCPD Pius Mwanthi, in a phone call with TV47, says that the protests were largely peaceful when they started, but all hell broke lose towards the evening.
“Waandamanaji walikuwa peaceful wakianza, tulikuwa na wao vizuri tukiwakataza wasizuie magari. Lakini ilipofika jioni kama saa tisa saa kumi hapo, walikuwa wabaya wakaanza kubomoa mabati ya kaunti pale mtoni eneo la Kasarani,” Mwanthi says. “Polisi walijaribu kuwatuliza lakini ikawa mbaya kwa sababu walianza kutupa mawe. Tukajaribu kutumia vitoa machozi lakini hataukufaulu. Polisi wangu hawakuwa na bunduki, kwa hivyo walitumia vitoa machozi pekee. Walipotushinda ilibidi turudi police station.”
But the police boss says it did not end there, alleging that a section of the rogue demonstrators followed them to the police station, forcing police officers to try and stop them.
“Lakini baadhi yao walijaribu kutufuata huko. Polisi kadhaa, karibu 20, waliumizwa, mwingine yuko HDU. Waliharibu magari sana, wakachoma gari moja. Wengine walijaribu kuvamia station yetu lakini we managed to stop them,” he adds.
Githurai police report
A report filed at Mwiki Police Station says that the demonstration, which started at around 1 pm, was peaceful but later turned riotous.
Officers from both Githurai Sub-County and Kasarani responded to the situation, but were outnumbered.
“The group numbered about 6,000 became violent and lit bonfires on the road. The police officers led by sub-county commander tried to negotiate with them to peaceably disperse but they refused and started pelting the officers with stones. A proclamation was read by sub-county commander but they did not disperse, instead, they turned very violent,” the police report reads in part.
The officers, the report says, would fire teargas to disperse them but they were eventually overpowered, forcing the officers to retreat.
“As they were withdrawing they blocked the road with an electric pole and consequently cut off Githurai Mwiki Land Cruiser GKA 601L from the convoy and completely burned it down and vandalised its remains,” the report adds.
It is reported that a vehicle (GKA 698G) belonging to Mwihoko Police Station had its windscreen and all side mirrors broken. Another police vehicle (GKB 315S) belonging to Githurai Kimbo Police Station also had its windscreen and all mirros destroyed.
“As officers were retreating, the rioters followed them to Githurai Mwiki Police Station. They wanted to overrun the station but were overpowered and they retreated,” the report alleges.
Injured police officers
- Mr. Pius Mwathi – Had stone injuries on the right hand shoulder, the ribs and chest. He was treated and discharged.
- Chief Inspector Nelson Omolo was hit with a stone on the back of his head
- Chief Inspector Vincent Omweri was injured on the left leg
- Inspector Victor Ngare was injured on the right upper hand and left ankle leg
- Inspector Gregory Mutinda was injured on stomach
- Police Constable David Gatonye was injured on his head and right hand
- Police Constable Martin Murungi was injured on the left cheek
- Police Constable James Maina was injured on the left knee
- Police Constable Kenneth Kinoti was injured on both legs
- Police Constable Kennedy Bisera was injured on both legs
- Police Constable Lucy Kendi was injured on right hand
- Police Constable Geoffrey Njuguna was injured on the head and stomach
- Police Constable Zachary Njuguna injured on the head
- Police Constable James Thairu was injured on his head
- Police Constable Moses Mahenye admitted at Modern Komarock Hospital in Utawala diagnosed with a broken skull currently admitted in HDU
- Corporal Raphael Waititu was injured on his right hand
- Police Constable Samwel Kanyi injured his right ankle
- Police Contable Nelly Gadhambi was injured on her right knee
- Police Constable Ezekiel Neepe was injured on his left eye
- Police Constable (driver) Maxwell Owiti was injured on his right hand.
All these officers were treated at different hospitals and discharged in fair condition.
