At least 485 people were arrested in connection with the violent scenes that rocked parts of the country during the June 25, 2025, Gen-Z anniversary protests.
Of this number, 448 suspects have already been charged in court while 37 remain under active investigation for serious crimes including murder, terrorism, rape, gang rape, arson, robbery with violence, incitement and possession of illegal firearms.
Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohamed Amin said that what began as peaceful demonstrations were infiltrated and hijacked by a well-coordinated network of criminal actors.
“Preliminary investigations reveal a deliberate and well-funded plot to incite chaos, civil unrest, and widespread anarchy under the guise of public protest,” Mr Amin said, noting that individuals were “strategically mobilised and transported—particularly into Nairobi—from different parts of the country.”
June 25 chaos: DCI Chief Mohamed Amin speaks on ongoing investigations
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had during a press briefing on June 24 urged Kenyans planning to participate in the protests to do so peacefully and within the confines of the law.
He pledged full support from law enforcement to protect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, as enshrined in Article 37 of the Constitution.
However, police now say the demonstrations were derailed by criminals with the sole intention of causing chaos, looting, destroying lives and property and forcibly entering lawfully protected areas to damage government installations.
The situation escalated further on June 26 when about 400 armed individuals stormed the Ndunyu Njeru Police Station in North Kinangop Sub-county, demanding the release of four prisoners arrested for stock theft.
The violent mob overwhelmed officers resulting in the burning of the police station and the deaths of three suspects from suffocation. One suspect remains hospitalised in critical condition.
Authorities say this incident, though not directly linked to the June 25 protests, reflects a troubling trend of violence against police stations which threatens to undermine law and order.
Police maintain that the violence witnessed was not spontaneous but orchestrated by key planners, mobilisers, financiers and facilitators who are now being actively pursued.
According to the DCI, complaints from across the country have drawn a troubling line between lawful protest and outright criminality.
While many young protestors joined the demonstrations in good faith, some peaceful marchers were later turned against fellow Kenyans by criminal elements. Police accuse these elements of engaging in sexual violence, theft and the destruction of homes and businesses betraying the ideals the protests claimed to uphold.
“It must be clearly understood that the right to protest is protected under our Constitution and we respect the voice of every Kenyan seeking accountability and reform. However, when a bona fide protest is infiltrated by criminal elements, it becomes a threat to national security and public safety,” Mr Amin said.
He also revealed that investigators have compiled a list of individuals believed to have financed and mobilised the groups responsible for the violence witnessed during last week’s protests.
Although he declined to name the individuals citing security and investigative reasons, Mr Amin hinted at Opposition involvement in the chaos that marked the first anniversary of the June 25, 2024, anti-Finance Bill protests.
Pressed on whether former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua is under investigation, Mr Amin said: “We have not summoned Gachagua. However, if he is found to have been involved in criminal activities, appropriate action will be taken as he is not above the law.”
The police also commended those who demonstrated peacefully and distanced themselves from acts of lawlessness, acknowledging that some peaceful protestors became victims themselves and were attacked, robbed or assaulted by opportunistic criminals.
Mr Kinyagia had posted the protest timetable online and has been missing since last week. Mr Amin confirmed that Kinyagia is “a person of interest after publishing inflammatory materials on social media.”
“We profiled him, identified his residence and our officers conducted a search at his apartment in Kinoo but he was not there,” Mr Amin said.
He called on members of the public to share any information that could help recover stolen firearms and property, aid in the arrest of suspects and help restore normalcy in the affected areas.
