The move to secure the Northlands in Ruiru linked to the former president Uhuru Kenyatta was slower due to operational constraints, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has acknowledged.
Kindiki said that the ongoing protests were to blame for the operational limitations in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Due to operational issues brought on by the ongoing protests, he claimed, "action to protect the Ruiru property was not as swift."
The CS stated that on Friday, he would provide Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome with new policy directions to assure demonstrators' safety.
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According to him, the policy drives that will go into effect on March 31, 2023, will specify providing security to anyone whose private property has been damaged or stolen during protests, as well as to anyone else who has a documented, well-founded fear or concern that their property is or could be the target of damage, theft, or looting.
"The criminal frenzy that is developing and the existing picture of anarchy must end. Only strict adherence to the law can keep us from total anarchy and lawlessness. Any deterioration of the current scenario would undoubtedly harm the nation. The fall must stop", he urged.
Invasion of private property, massive violence, and theft by hordes of criminals disguising themselves as political protestors or victims of past land injustices occurred twice a fortnight ago in Nairobi and Kisumu.
Following the policy, all those guilty of crimes against people or their property during demonstrations and counteractions will be investigated and held accountable.
He continued by demanding that 24-hour security be provided in all of Nairobi, Kisumu, and any other location where there is cause to suspect that violent protests may break out in the future to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their daily lives without fear of intimidation, threats, or interruption.
While the police have followed the law to safeguard the lives and property of non-protesters and other parties, the Interior CS noted that Kindiki claims the regular protestors continue to act in a significantly violent, chaotic, and disorderly manner compromising national security.
He specifically mentioned the burning of police vehicles and the damage to public buildings during the unrest.
In addition to 51 police officers and 85 people being hurt due to the mayhem, he said that two individuals died during the protests.
In Nairobi's Kibra area, ethnically motivated arson was committed; a church and a mosque were destroyed before the police intervened to stop the fighting. While covering the protests, gangs brandishing knives robbed journalists and attacked journalists.
