A section of the goons who infiltrated Monday’s fuel protests in Kitengela town were allegedly ferried into the area before dawn in four unmarked Public Service Vehicles (PSVs), police have claimed, as investigations into the chaos that paralysed transport and triggered widespread looting intensified.
What was expected to be a peaceful nationwide protest against soaring fuel prices descended into chaos after groups of goons reportedly held Kitengela town hostage for hours, paralysing the transport system and leaving behind a trail of destruction following targeted looting sprees.
Police presence along Namanga road in Kitengela on day two of high fuel prices protests.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Kajiado County Police Commander Alex Shikondi told Nation on Tuesday that during the melee that paralysed major satellite towns in Kajiado County, including Ong'ata Rongai, Kiserian, Ngong, and Kitengela, 111 protesters were arrested. At least 74 individuals were apprehended in Kajiado North Sub-County, while 44 protesters were arrested in Kitengela town. They are expected to face various charges, including theft.
In Kitengela, Mr Shikondi said security agencies had received intelligence that some of the protesters had been ferried from elsewhere to Kitengela early Monday morning in unmarked vehicles.
"We are working on some leads that four unmarked PSV vehicles were spotted dropping [off] individuals on Sunday night around Prison Road. The individuals are suspected to have whipped up emotions and harassed motorists and commuters. Some are on the police radar. We are hunting them down," said Mr Shikondi.
“We will be reviewing the CCTV Cameras installed in nearby buildings in an attempt to identify the vehicles, individuals and the motive. Those who will be found culpable will face the full wrath of the law.”
Mr Shikondi's account of Sunday night protesters' importation coincides with that of a matatu operator who spoke to Nation in confidence on Tuesday. He said he spotted four 14-seater matatus dropping off individuals along Prison Road on Sunday night under the cover of darkness.
"The vehicles were unmarked and carrying excess passengers donning heavy jackets. The individuals moved towards Namanga Highway together. They seemed to have a central command. I suspect there were among the goons who took Kitengela hostage later in the day," he said. "This might have been a coordinated protest at the expense of innocent locals."
A super metro bus alights to pickup commuters along Namanga road in Kitengela after the suspension of the Matatu strike for one week.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
On Tuesday morning, normalcy had returned to Kitengela under heavy police presence. Most businesses were operating. A few PSV vehicles plying the Kitengela-Kajiado route were in operation, but Saccos operating along the Nairobi-Kitengela route kept their vehicles off the road for the second consecutive day. Scores of commuters were stranded at bus termini.
Mr Shikondi assured locals of enhanced security, saying a multi-agency security team had been strategically deployed across the town since 5.00am.
"We have deployed more officers to quell any protests that might disrupt transport and trigger looting. Police patrols were intensified last night to thwart the possibility of imported protesters," he added.
On Tuesday, several shops and a Coca-Cola depot that were looted on Monday remained closed, with owners counting losses.
In previous countrywide protests, especially the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, Kitengela bore the brunt of violence that left behind destruction, casualties, and dozens of victims who still bear the scars to date. Allegations of imported violence also took centre stage.
