The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has unmasked 25 individuals believed to have orchestrated one of the most brazen acts of destruction in Kenya’s recent history—the burning of the Kikuyu Police Station and other critical government facilities.
The suspects, whose names, ages, and photos have now been made public, are accused of leading a fiery rampage that left government offices in ashes and vehicles reduced to twisted metal.
Among the destroyed structures were the Kikuyu Law Courts, Sub-County offices, and an assortment of government machinery, including tractors, tuk-tuks, and official cars.
According to investigators, the suspects are mostly young men between the ages of 19 and 30, with a few minors also under probe.
The June 25 demonstrations, meant to mark the one-year anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z uprising against the controversial Finance Bill, quickly spiraled out of control in Kikuyu town, Kiambu County. What began as a peaceful gathering morphed into an inferno of rage as rogue elements infiltrated the crowds, torching public infrastructure and looting government offices.
Authorities moved swiftly. Within hours, detectives launched a multi-agency manhunt, culminating in the arrest of 25 suspects who were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Ruiru Law Courts. The DCI secured a 14-day custodial order to allow further investigations as they trace the masterminds behind the wider destruction.
In a chilling revelation, police say some of the stolen property—including steel doors, windows, and even a water tank—was recovered in secluded thickets between Mai-ii-hii and Kabete. The finds point to a coordinated looting operation, with some suspects allegedly planning to sell the stolen infrastructure for scrap.
“The level of destruction witnessed in Kikuyu was not spontaneous. This was organized criminal activity masked as protest,” said a senior detective involved in the investigation. “We will not rest until every culprit is brought to justice.”
The release of the suspects’ photos has sparked mixed reactions online. While some netizens support the police’s tough stance, others have raised concerns about potential profiling and rushed judgments.
However, the National Police Service maintains that the action is lawful and necessary. In a statement, they urged the public to remain peaceful during protests and warned that acts of vandalism, looting, or arson will be met with the full force of the law.
“We support the right to protest,” read the NPS statement, “but that right does not include burning down courts and stealing from government offices. Destruction of public property is not activism—it is criminal.”
As the investigation continues, the public is being urged to volunteer any additional information that could help police track more suspects involved in the Kikuyu rampage. The message is clear: the age of impunity is over, and the streets are no longer safe havens for lawless destruction.
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