Protesters Loot Relief Food During Fuel Price Demonstrations in Kiritiri

By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

The demonstrations, which were organized to push the government to lower fuel prices, turned chaotic as groups of youths engaged police officers in running battles within the town.

During the protests, suspected criminals allegedly took advantage of the unrest and stormed the government food stores before escaping with relief supplies.

Mbeere South Subcounty Police Commander Ashford Kimoti confirmed the incident, saying security officers responded swiftly after receiving reports of the break-in.

Kimoti said officers managed to recover and return some of the bags of rice that had already been removed from the stores by the protesters.

However, he noted that the suspects escaped with several bags of beans before police could fully contain the situation.

"Its true the thugs that infiltrated the demonstrations have broken into a store which was storing relief food,they made away with bags of beans but ,some bags of rice which they had removed from the store we were able to return.We are persuing them to face law," he confirmed.

The police commander said the demonstrations had been infiltrated by thugs who used the protests as an opportunity to loot and destroy property. He added that although citizens have a constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully, criminal acts such as theft and vandalism would not be tolerated.

Kimoti said the stolen food supplies were part of a relief programme aimed at supporting residents affected by hunger and prolonged dry conditions in parts of the area. He assured residents that investigations into the incident had already commenced and detectives were pursuing those involved.

The police boss warned that anyone found culpable would face the full force of the law regardless of their involvement in the demonstrations.

Residents expressed concern over the incident, saying the looted food was meant to assist vulnerable families struggling with food shortages.

Security officers have since intensified patrols in Kiritiri Town and surrounding areas as investigations continue and authorities work to restore calm.