NPS defends anti-riot officers seen with laptops stolen from electronic shops during protest
Muchiri urged businesspeople, whose shops were broken into to visit the station and identify their gadgets, as he added that investigations are on to arrest those involved in the robbery
The National Police Service (NPS) has defended anti-riot officers seen in social media carrying laptops stolen from shops broken by goons yesterday during demonstrations in the Nairobi Central Business District.
In a statement, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the laptops carried by the officers in the viral video were recovered from the goons who broke into the shops and stole the electronics.
He shared that four of the laptops stolen were recovered and are at the Central police station.
“NPS wishes to clarify that during recent protests in Nairobi, several shops were broken into and various items were stolen. Police Officers arrested one suspect, and four laptops were recovered, which are now in custody as exhibits at the Central Police station,” Muchiri said.
He urged businesspeople, whose shops were broken into to visit the station and identify their gadgets, as he added that investigations are on to arrest those involved in the robbery.
The statement by NPS comes after viral social media videos showed some of the anti-riot officers leaving with the gadgets, which had been stolen by goons from electronic shops in the CBD.
This is even as the Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passiris defended the officers, saying the laptops the officers were carrying had been recovered from goons.
She shared that the Nairobi regional Commander, George Seda, had confirmed the same to her.
“I have just spoken to the Regional Police Commandant in Nairobi, Seda. The laptops looted from the electronics shop were recovered and are now safely in police custody,” Passaris defended the officers.
There has been mounting pressure for scrutiny of law enforcement officers’ conduct during the demonstrations held yesterday, which turned violent after goons infiltrated peaceful protesters and began looting businesses and harassing civilians.
Armed with clubs and knives, the rogue elements reportedly attacked passersby, snatched handbags and phones, and broke into shops.
Despite the chaos, footage showed police appearing to act with restraint towards the thugs, raising suspicions about a possible alliance.
