DCI asks public to help in tracing looters during Nairobi protests
By Hilary KimuyuThe Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has asked Kenyans to help security agencies identify criminals who infiltrated last week’s demonstration and looted businesses in Nairobi, County.
DCI on Monday said that its Imaging and Acoustic Unit at the National Forensic Laboratory had retrieved CCTV footage showing individuals involved in theft in the city centre.
They said that they would take action against those individuals, adding that while young people, the majority of them Gen Zs, exercised their democratic rights, criminals took advantage of the situation to loot businesses.
“We can flush them from amongst our numbers because they do not share the principles that define what we stand for, and more so for the sake of those who did not deserve to lose their only means of livelihood in this manner,” DCI said in a statement.
The agency said that the thieves, who appeared well-organised, targeted businesses including boutiques, electronics shops, and supermarkets, causing significant losses.
They assured the public that it would hold all those involved in the crimes accountable.
“As a criminal investigative agency, it squarely falls within the mandate of the DCI to investigate and bring to book any persons involved in such outright criminality, which not only robbed numerous Kenyans their means of livelihood but also worked towards compromising an otherwise crucial constitutional right,” it said.
On Sunday, President William Ruto in a media round-table at State House attributed the extensive damage to criminals who, he claimed, infiltrated what began as peaceful demonstrations.
According to the Head of State, property worth Sh2.4 billion was destroyed during the protests against the Finance Bill last week.