Police Urge CBD Shop Owners to Report to Station After Laptops Stolen During Protests
The National Police Service (NPS) has made a public appeal to shop owners in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) whose businesses were broken into and laptops stolen during recent protests.
Authorities are asking affected shop owners to visit the Central Police Station to help identify some of the items that were recovered.
Speaking during a press briefing held on Wednesday afternoon, Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga revealed that police officers managed to recover four laptops during the chaos that erupted in Nairobi on Tuesday.
The laptops were seized after the arrest of a suspect who is believed to be part of a criminal gang that looted several shops during the protests.
“Following the recent demonstrations in Nairobi, we wish to inform the public that a number of shops were broken into and property was stolen,” Nyaga stated. “Our officers arrested one suspect connected to these criminal acts, and four laptops were recovered during the operation.
The recovered items are being held safely at the station.”
Muchiri urged anyone whose business was targeted and lost laptops to report to the police station and check if their stolen items are among those that were recovered.
He further confirmed that investigations are already underway to trace and arrest more individuals involved in looting and other unlawful acts committed during the protest.
The police took action after a video clip circulated widely on social media, showing a police officer holding laptops during the demonstration.
In the video, the officer is seen running towards a police vehicle and handing over the laptops to another officer who was waiting inside. The van, with more officers inside, then sped off, sparking online debate and suspicion among Kenyans about the handling and destination of the laptops.
This laptop recovery is just one of several dramatic moments from Tuesday’s protests. One of the most heartbreaking incidents occurred when Boniface Kariuki, a vendor who sold face masks, was shot dead on Moi Avenue. Eyewitnesses claim he was not participating in any violent activity.
The NPS has since confirmed the arrest of the police officer accused of shooting Kariuki, stating that disciplinary action is being taken.
In their statement released on Tuesday evening, the police service also distanced itself from groups of individuals seen roaming the CBD armed with crude weapons. These groups, allegedly taking advantage of the unrest, were condemned by the police.
“We do not support or tolerate such unlawful groupings,” said Muchiri Nyaga. He added that the police are committed to maintaining peace and will continue pursuing those who take advantage of peaceful protests to engage in crime.
The authorities now hope that by involving the affected shop owners, they can return the stolen property to the rightful owners and bring all those responsible to justice.
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